Original Soweto derby headlines SA league action

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 08, 2021. 10:00

South Africa’s DStv Premiership will see a full round of fixtures held from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 January, with the headline fixture a Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC.

Often dubbed the ‘original’ or ‘real’ Soweto derby, the Buccaneers and the Birds have a rivalry which dates back to the middle of the 20th century and they will meet at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the first time since Swallows’ relegation from the top flight in 2015.

Adding further interest to this clash is the form Swallows have shown under coach Brandon Truter: a hard-fought 3-2 win over Cape Town City in midweek saw them go level with champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log, underlining just how exceptional their return to the top-flight league has been.

Despite their strong showing thus far in 2020-21, Truter insists that his side is not fighting for the title – something Pirates will consider themselves in the running for, though a loss to Sundowns last weekend was perhaps a reality check of the progress they still need to make.

“When you are talking about title contenders you can speak about Sundowns, Pirates and SuperSport, not us,” explained the Birds boss.

“We will just keep on going and do the best we can in the next match, that is the only thing that matters, only when the season ends will we see where we are.

“We are new to this league, I am myself and a lot of players are as well. It is where we wanted to be, and we are there now, but we are not getting carried away.”

The weekend opens with Black Leopards desperate to win away to Stellenbosch on Friday and lift themselves from the foot of the table, while Sundowns will look to open a three-point lead at the top of the log when they face hosts Baroka FC in the first match on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs, fresh from claiming a CAF Champions League group stage berth in midweek, will look to lift their ailing domestic form with a home win over Maritzburg United, while Golden Arrows, TS Galaxy, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Bloemfontein Celtic will all be at home to Chippa United, SuperSport United, Cape Town City and AmaZulu respectively.

DStv Premiership fixtures, 8-10 January

Friday 8 January

17:00: Stellenbosch FC v Black Leopards

Saturday 9 January

15:00: Baroka FC v Mamelodi Sundowns

15:30: Golden Arrows v Chippa United

15:30: TS Galaxy v SuperSport United

17:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United

17:00: Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v Cape Town City

Sunday 10 January

15:30: Orlando Pirates v Swallows FC

15:30: Bloemfontein Celtic v AmaZulu