Soweto derby headlines DStv Premiership action this weekend

Thulani Hlatshwayo of Orlando Pirates and Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates joint Press Conference on the 04 November 2021 at the Hotel SKY, Pretoria ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 05, 2021. 10:00

The Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is the headline fixture in South Africa’s DStv Premiership this weekend, with the heavyweights both looking for a statement win on Saturday afternoon to spark their stuttering seasons into life.

Both the Amakhosi and the Buccaneers have fallen well off the pace set by log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, with the surprise duo of Stellenbosch FC and Royal AM looking like more credible challengers to the reigning champions this season.

Chiefs come into the match on the back of a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch in midweek, halting the momentum they had built with previous back-to-back wins over Chippa United and SuperSport United.

Amakhosi Coach Stuart Baxter believes the result has no relevance to their clash with Pirates, who broke a four-game winless streak in the league by defeating Sekhukhune United 2-1 and should enter the game with more confidence.

“[The loss to Stellenbosch] doesn’t affect the derby at all,” explained Baxter. “I think the derby has its own life, that’s my experience.

“We have a couple of days to recoup and refresh and put together a game plan for Pirates because you certainly are not trying to get one eye on Pirates and Stellenbosch… that would be suicidal. We gave attention to this game and we will give Pirates their attention now.”

The weekend’s action opens with SuperSport looking to avoid a hat-trick of losses when they host TS Galaxy on Friday evening, while Saturday – aside from the derby – also features Stellenbosch looking to continue their unbeaten run with a clash at home to Golden Arrows.

Sunday has a quintet of games topped off by Mamelodi Sundowns visiting Marumo Gallants. Yet most interest will be focused on Royal AM, the brash upstarts who have taken the league by storm and will chase a home victory when Baroka FC head to the Chatsworth Stadium.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 5 November

17:30: SuperSport United v TS Galaxy

Saturday 6 November

15:30: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates

17:00: Stellenbosch FC v Golden Arrows

Sunday 7 November

15:30: Chippa United v Maritzburg United

15:30: Royal AM v Baroka FC

15:30: Swallows FC v Sekhukhune United

17:30: Marumo Gallants v Mamelodi Sundowns