Buccaneers-Brazilians battle headlines the weekend

A top-of-the-table clash between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns headlines the weekend Betway Premiership action, with seven matches played from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March 2025.

Pirates and Sundowns will meet at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the hosts looking to both close the 18-point gap to their opponents, and avenge a heavy 4-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Sundowns when the teams met in a league clash just over a month ago.

Such is the Brazilians’ control of the title race that they can afford to lose this game, and watch the Buccaneers win all four of their outstanding fixtures, and still be three points clear. An away win, meanwhile, would all but close the book on the notion of a title race and put ‘Downs within touching distance of an eighth successive championship.

Coach Miguel Cardoso, however, insists that nothing is decided yet: “I do not take anything in life for granted. I have a lot of respect for myself and for football. This championship will be tough because no one will give up from any side.

“The advantage we have, we need to keep it for as long as possible, and we need to prepare as best as we can.

“Any team can take points from any team if you do not respect the championship and the game itself by giving your best.”

The weekend action opens on Friday evening, with AmaZulu FC hosting TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium and looking to end the away side’s three-game unbeaten run, while the pick of a trio of matches on Saturday sees Cape Town City looking to break a nine-game winless run across all competitions when they host Marumo Gallants at the Athlone Stadium.

Sunday, aside from the Pirates-Sundowns clash, also sees Kaizer Chiefs visiting the King Zwelithini Stadium for a match against relegation-threatened Richards Bay, while Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC will cross swords in a late afternoon kick-off at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Stellies come into the clash after back-to-back fixtures against Pirates (Premiership) and Chiefs (Nedbank Cup) in the past week, with coach Steve Barker proud of his team’s grit and determination.

“I think it’s a really good point for us against a really good team. It just keeps our unbeaten run [in the league] to six games – three wins and three draws,” said Barker.

“I told the players that for us to keep going and achieve our ambitions which is to finish in the top three, we need to go through those unbeaten runs.”

This round of Betway Premiership action will be the last before the Fifa international break, with the league only returning in late March.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND FIXTURES

Times CAT

Friday 14 March

19:30: AmaZulu FC v TS Galaxy

Saturday 15 March

15:30: Cape Town City v Marumo Gallants

15:30: Magesi FC v Golden Arrows

20:00: Chippa United v Polokwane City

Sunday 16 March

15:30: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns

15:30: Richards Bay v Kaizer Chiefs

17:45: Sekhukhune United v Stellenbosch FC

Postponed: Royal AM v SuperSport United