Top-two battle headlines the weekend’s Betway Premiership action

A crunch meeting of the top two in the Betway Premiership standings – Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates – will headline a weekend of seven matches across South Africa’s top flight.

Sundowns and Pirates will clash at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon in an encounter which could play a major role in deciding the title.

The Brazilians, who have won the last seven championships in succession, enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the log over the second-placed Buccaneers. However, the Soweto side has a game in hand on their Tshwane counterparts and a win away at Loftus could set up a thrilling title race through to the end of the season in May.

Both teams secured midweek victories, with Sundowns cruising to a 3-0 win at Tshwane rivals SuperSport United, while Pirates had to work a little harder for their 2-1 triumph away to Sekhukhune United.

“We have steps to go forward,” insisted Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso. “Today there were lots of young players and players that have just arrived at the club. The team has to grow, but that does not mean we’re not in a good place.”

The weekend’s action gets going on Friday night with a double dose of games, as AmaZulu FC look to continue their good form (three unbeaten, plus three wins in their last five matches across all competitions) when they host Marumo Gallants at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

At the same time, Kaizer Chiefs will be under pressure to beat Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium, with the Amakhosi having claimed just one win from their last four league outings and still stinging from their Soweto derby loss last weekend.

Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi at least feels that their new signings have added some quality and depth to their squad: “We are happy with Tashreeq Morris, Glody Lilepo and Thabo Cele, the proof is that the two goals we scored [in a 2-2 draw with AmaZulu in midweek], one on Tashreeq, the second one on Lilepo, even though Thabo Cele got a little bit tired, he brings a lot of fluidity in midfield, a lot of smartness too.”

Nabi added, “We feel that the three signings are very good and they are going to help the team a lot.”

Saturday, aside from the Sundowns v Pirates clash, also features Magesi FC looking to break an 11-match winless run across all competitions when they host Cape Town City, while TS Galaxy and Polokwane City will look to extend their unbeaten runs (11 and nine matches across all competitions respectively) when they face Chippa United at Mbombela Stadium and Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium respectively.

The scheduled clash between Golden Arrows and Royal AM has been postponed, leaving Sunday’s lone match as Sekhukhune United v SuperSport United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Babina Noko will be chasing a league double over their opponents, having won 3-0 away to United less than a month ago, while Matsatsantsa will be desperate to snap a four-game losing streak in the Premiership.

Betway Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 7 February

19:30: AmaZulu FC v Marumo Gallants

19:30: Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs

Saturday 8 February

15:30: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates

15:30: Magesi FC v Cape Town City

20:00: TS Galaxy v Chippa United

20:00: Richards Bay v Polokwane City

Sunday 9 February

Golden Arrows v Royal AM – Postponed

17:45: Sekhukhune United v SuperSport United