Leaders Sekhukhune United face derby hurdle

Surprise Betway Premiership leaders Sekhukhune United will face a derby hurdle and Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, during a truncated weekend with a round of just six matches.

With Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates absent from domestic duties due to CAF club commitments, the focus on Saturday afternoon will fall on Sekhukhune when they face Polokwane City in a derby clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Babina Noko are the only unbeaten team in the Premiership, though they will feel somewhat frustrated by a 1-1 midweek draw against Chippa United in which Bradley Grobler was both hero and villain – scoring a late penalty to level the game, but also missing an injury-time spot kick which would have stretched their lead at the top from two points to four.

Sundowns, meanwhile, will be hungry to respond to whatever result Sekhukhune put up in the afternoon – as well as bouncing back from a shock midweek loss to Golden Arrows – when they host Richards Bay at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in a night clash.

The Brazilians’ coach Miguel Cardoso has insisted that his team remains united: “We are strong in the club, committed to each other, and have values we will not give up on, and those values are keeping the team alive and kicking.

“As much crisis as people are trying to create around us, we will be brave, strong and courageous to keep going. We will get better.”

Saturday will also feature Golden Arrows hosting Orbit College at the King Zwelithini Stadium in the afternoon, and an evening battle between Durban City and Magesi FC at the Chatsworth Stadium.

Sunday’s action opens at the Dr Molemela Stadium, as bottom-of-the-log Siwelele FC (seven matches without a win) host Marumo Gallants (six matches without a win) for a Bloemfontein derby, before the late afternoon sees Stellenbosch FC looking to break a five-game winless streak across all competitions when they visit Chippa United at the Buffalo City Stadium.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

ALL TIMES CAT

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

3pm: Golden Arrows v Orbit College

3pm: Polokwane City v Sekhukhune United

8pm: Durban City v Magesi FC

8pm: Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

3pm: Siwelele FC v Marumo Gallants

5:30pm: Chippa United v Stellenbosch FC

POSTPONED DUE TO CAF CLUB PRELIMINARIES:

Kaizer Chiefs v AmaZulu FC

Orlando Pirates v TS Galaxy