Pressure on Soweto giants for midweek matches

Gavin Hunt, coach of Kaizer Chiefs

Wednesday Jan 13, 2021. 13:00

The pressure will be squarely focused on Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates when three DStv Premiership matches are played across South Africa on the afternoon of Wednesday 13 January.

Chiefs, last season’s league runners-up and the best-supported team in the country, find themselves just one point above the relegation zone heading into their clash in Durban against AmaZulu.

The Amakhosi have gone seven matches without a win in the Premiership, with their latest disappointment a 2-0 loss at home to Maritzburg United this past weekend. Things got even worse with news that key attacker Khama Billiat is set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to injury.

A failure to beat Usuthu could well bring an end to Gavin Hunt’s tenure in charge of the club, though the former Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United and Moroka Swallows mentor remains determined.

“Ja‚ we’ve obviously got to battle – we know we are in a fight now‚” the four-time PSL winner said, as quoted by Sowetan Live.

“Our programme is obviously very difficult with our squad. we are going to have to battle‚ and we are playing every two or three days.

“So I think maybe the best is for us to get away from here as well‚ and play outside‚ because I think we’re a bit better there. But having said that I think we’ve got to be better at home‚ because our home record is not very good.”

Later in the day, Orlando Pirates will look to return to winning form when they face Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Thohoyandou.

The Buccaneers have, since the turn of the year, recorded a loss and draw against leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and high-flying Swallows FC respectively, leaving them 10 points off the title pace. A further slip against TTM would not be welcomed by a club looking to remain in title contention.

Wednesday also sees SuperSport United – who have taken 13 points from the last 15 up for grabs – looking to keep up their form when they host Bloemfontein Celtic in Tshwane. A win would push them into second place and perfectly set-up their imminent derby against Sundowns.

DStv Premiership fixtures, 13 January

15:00: AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs

17:00: Tshakhuma TM v Orlando Pirates

17:00: SuperSport United v Bloemfontein Celtic