Soweto derby takes centre stage

Lebogang Manyama of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Ben Motshwari of Orlando Pirates

Friday Mar 19, 2021. 09:00

The iconic Soweto derby rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will take centre stage as a full round of DStv Premiership fixtures is played this weekend, 19-21 March.

Meetings of the Amakhosi and the Buccaneers have been potential title deciders in the past, but with Mamelodi Sundowns looking set to run away with the glory at the top of the log, the narrative heading into this clash is more about Chiefs trying to end their winless run and gain revenge.

Gavin Hunt’s side have gone six league games without a victory and dropped to a lowly 11th place, just eight points off the foot of the table. Included in that drought is a 2-1 loss to Pirates in January which the team in gold and black will be determined to avenge.

“The most important thing is they’re fighting, they’re working and doing their best and that’s the most important thing,” said Hunt of his charges in the wake of a 0-0 draw away to Angola’s Petro de Luanda in a midweek CAF Champions League assignment.

The weekend opens on Friday evening with SuperSport United looking to regain their rhythm with a clash away to Stellenbosch, while the pick of matches on Saturday sees Golden Arrows host Cape Town City in Durban. Abafana Bes’thende’s first loss of the campaign came at the hands of the Citizens back in January, but they are right back in form and chasing a hat-trick of wins.

Sunday, aside from the Soweto derby, also features red-hot AmaZulu looking for a fourth straight win when they host Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Usuthu are the form team of the Premiership under coach Benni McCarthy, who believes that the Durban club is “a sleeping giant that is slowly waking up”.

The round wraps up on Sunday evening with log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns heavily favoured to take another step toward a fourth successive title when they host bottom-of-the-log Black Leopards.

Lidoda Duvha coach Kosta Papic has admitted that his team faces an uphill struggle in trying to avoid relegation: “I mean I’m not a magician you know, I didn’t come with a magic stick,” said the Serbian.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Friday 19 March

17:00: Stellenbosch v SuperSport United

Saturday 20 March

15:00: Golden Arrows v Cape Town City

15:30: Chippa United v Swallows FC

15:30: Baroka FC v Bloemfontein Celtic

17:00: TS Galaxy v Maritzburg United

Sunday 21 March

15:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates

15:30: AmaZulu v Tshakhuma TM

17:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Black Leopards