‘Downs with the chance to go clear at the top

Kermit Erasmus of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates goal during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 football match between Sundowns and Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria on 23 January 2021 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jan 26, 2021. 12:00

DStv Premiership champions and current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will have the chance to go three points clear at the top of the log when they feature in one of four midweek matches across Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 January.

The Brazilians have drawn their last three league games on the trot and allowed both SuperSport United and Swallows FC to join them in a three-way tie at the head of the table.

However, Wednesday’s clash away to struggling Black Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium presents them with the perfect opportunity to steal a march on their two rivals, who face each other in their next match this coming weekend.

“As Sundowns we would want to win all the matches we play, but I don’t think people need to panic,” said ‘Downs co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

“We are at that stage where we had to play around with a lot of changes in the line-up in all these three matches and that had a negative impact on how we played. I think we are on the right track.”

Wednesday also sees Bloemfontein Celtic, fresh from crashing out of the CAF Confederation Cup, facing a revived Chippa United side who have taken seven points from the last nine available and will be playing their ninth successive away match (due to their home town of Port Elizabeth being a Covid-19 hotspot). The Chilli Boys truly have become the ‘road warriors’ of the Premiership in recent weeks.

The midweek action opens on Tuesday with the Soweto giants both in action: Orlando Pirates will be looking to build momentum when they host TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium for a first-ever league clash between the clubs, while Kaizer Chiefs (13 points from the last 15 available) will be be aiming to continue their resurgent form with a home win over Baroka FC at FNB Stadium.

DStv Premiership midweek fixtures

Tuesday 26 January

17:00: Orlando Pirates v TS Galaxy

17:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Baroka FC

Wednesday 27 January

17:00: Bloemfontein Celtic v Chippa United

17:00: Black Leopards v Mamelodi Sundowns