SuperSport’s chance to draw level at the top

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Mar 02, 2021. 10:00

South Africa’s DStv Premiership will feature six matches in a midweek programme across Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March, headlined by SuperSport United’s attempt to draw level with absent log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Second-placed SuperSport could join Sundowns on 36 points if they defeat AmaZulu in Durban in one of four matches late on Tuesday afternoon, with the leaders absent due to their travel back from thrashing CR Belouizdad in Tanzania in the CAF Champions League this past weekend.

United (who will have played three games more than ‘Downs by the end of Tuesday) will be hoping to see strikers Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza rediscover their early-season form.

“It happens all over the world that attackers sometimes can’t find their scoring touch‚” coach Kaitano Tembo told Sowetan Live.

“It is our responsibility as coaches to make sure that we support them because halfway through the season they have scored close to 19 goals between them. If you look at a team like Liverpool‚ what would you say to Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah?

“They have been scoring goals for the team for the past two seasons. That’s just the nature of the game because we know what they can do and ours is to continue supporting them.”

Tuesday also sees a relegation six-pointer between the bottom two of Maritzburg United and Black Leopards at Harry Gwala Stadium, TS Galaxy will hope to end the unbeaten run of Swallows FC in a game at Mbombela Stadium, and Orlando Pirates will welcome Bloemfontein Celtic to Soweto.

The Buccaneers have struggled to find consistency this season, with coach Josef Zinnbauer hoping they can continue in the same vein of their weekend cup win at Maritzburg.

“I don’t know where the difference is, because as a coach you want a 100 percent performance from all matches,” the German is quoted by Kick-Off.

“But maybe the cup game is like a final. The team is always ready to win. I think they need this pressure for all the matches.”

Wednesday sees a rematch between Chippa United and Cape Town City, after the former defeated the latter in a cup tie this past Sunday, as well as Golden Arrows looking to bounce back to winning form when they welcome Baroka FC to the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium for the final midweek clash.

DStv Premiership midweek fixtures

Tuesday 2 March

17:00: Orlando Pirates v Bloemfontein Celtic

17:00: Maritzburg United v Black Leopards

17:00: TS Galaxy v Swallows FC

17:00: AmaZulu v SuperSport United

Wednesday 3 March

15:00: Chippa United v Cape Town City

17:00: Golden Arrows v Baroka