‘Downs visit to Chippa headlines midweek DStv Premiership action

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Aug 24, 2021. 10:00

DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns will look to make it two wins from two matches at the start of the 2021-22 season when they face Chippa United on Tuesday evening in the first of eight midweek matches in South Africa’s top flight.

The Brazilians started the new campaign with a solid if unspectacular 1-0 home win over last season’s runners-up, AmaZulu, this past Friday evening, and they will be expecting to get the better of the Chilli Boys – a team they have never lost to in league action.

“It was a big fight from our players because we have to win football matches. It is still early in the season and we are still trying to sort out certain dynamics within our performance and while we are trying to do that we have to win matches. Congratulations to the players for winning a very important match,” said Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena.

At the same time on Tuesday, Orlando Pirates will be chasing their first win of the season when they tackle Marumo Gallants in Polokwane. The Buccaneers, fresh from parting ways with coach Josef Zinnbauer, could only draw 2-2 at home to Stellenbosch FC in their opener this past weekend, while the new-look Bahlabane ba Ntwa are bottom of the log after a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Baroka.

And it is the top-of-the-table Bakgaga ba ga Mphahlele who will feature in the headline match on Wednesday 25 August, as they head to FNB Stadium to take on Kaizer Chiefs. The Amakhosi are still searching for their rhythm after a 0-0 draw away to TS Galaxy on Sunday evening.

“It’s a frustrating evening, but then again a point away from home, you’re on the board, and we get more information,” said Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter. “Hopefully the players like Keagan [Dolly] get those extra minutes, we can make tweaks to the way we play and hopefully we will take three points in our next game.”

Wednesday also features an early kick-off as the in-form Golden Arrows face SuperSport United away from home, while other matches on the card include a potential thriller between AmaZulu and Swallows; Stellenbosch hosting TS Galaxy at the Danie Craven Stadium; Maritzburg United and Sekhukhune United both looking to bounce back from weekend defeats when they meet at Harry Gwala Stadium; and newcomers Royal AM will host their first top-flight league match at the Chatsworth Stadium when Cape Town City come calling.

DStv Premiership fixtures, 24-25 August

Times CAT

Tuesday 24 August

17:00: Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns

17:00: Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates

Wednesday 25 August

15:00: SuperSport United v Golden Arrows

17:00: AmaZulu v Swallows FC

17:00: Maritzburg United v Sekhukhune United

17:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Baroka FC

17:00: Stellenbosch FC v TS Galaxy

17:00: Royal AM v Cape Town City