The Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs headlines a full round of Betway Premiership action this weekend, while log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will play host to Durban City.
The action opens with a lone game on Friday night, as bottom-of-the-log Marumo Gallants chase a first win of the season when they welcome Siwelele FC to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Siwelele have stabilised under the leadership of interim coach Godfrey Mosoetsa, notably overcoming Polokwane City in the league, and again on penalties in the Carling Knockout (CKO) last weekend, though the former reserve team coach insists the full technical team deserves credit for their upturn in fortunes.
“I joined the first team just before the Sundowns game, and my role is just to ensure that they are comfortable and that the technical team are given the freedom to analyse the games because modern football is about bringing together analytical football brains. I'm just leading the sheep and steering the direction of the team,” said the humble Mosoetsa.
Saturday afternoon is headlined by the Soweto derby at a sold-out FNB Stadium, where hosts Pirates can go top of the log with either a win or draw, while Chiefs will be looking to make up ground on the leading duo after some frustrating league results of late. Both teams enjoyed an impressive ‘tune up’ in midweek CKO matches, with the Buccaneers crushing Milford FC 3-0, while the Amakhosi downed TS Galaxy by the same score.
Saturday also features a Durban derby between AmaZulu FC and Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium in the early evening. Usuthu have enjoyed an impressive season thus far – inspired by the prolific Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya – but Arrows gave notice of their potential with an inspired 4-0 destruction of Chippa United in the CKO last weekend, and this clash could be just as entertaining as its Soweto equivalent.
AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane was unhappy with his team’s finishing in a win over Kruger United in the CKO, saying they will go “back to the drawing board” in preparation for the clash with Abafana Bes’thende.
The night matches feature Sundowns at home to Durban City at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The Brazilians may be looking to reclaim top spot on the log by the time they kick-off, but more important will be the level of their performance.
Sundowns, the current African champions, shockingly dropped out of the CAF Champions League last weekend before the group stage, and followed that up with a laboured win over struggling Gallants in the CKO in midweek. A statement of confidence is needed from the men in yellow and blue.
“It’s too late to cry on spilt milk,” Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said. “And it doesn’t mean that we don’t recognise the moment or what happened. But it’s important that we can focus more on what we can do.”
With next midweek’s scheduled round of fixtures postponed due to the local government elections, this will be the final set of Betway Premiership matches before the November international break.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND FIXTURES
Times CAT
Friday 30 October
19:30: Marumo Gallants v Siwelele FC
Saturday 31 October
15:30: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
15:30: Milford FC v Sekhukhune United
18:00: Stellenbosch FC v Chippa United
18:00: AmaZulu FC v Golden Arrows
18:00: Polokwane City v TS Galaxy
20:15: Kruger United v Richards Bay
20:15: Mamelodi Sundowns v Durban City