Swallows-Chiefs derby headlines DStv Premiership this weekend

Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Thabo Matlaba of Swallows FC

Friday Nov 26, 2021. 10:00

The Soweto derby between Swallows FC and Kaizer Chiefs will be the headline fixture of the weekend’s DStv Premiership action in South Africa.

While not as celebrated as the Chiefs v Pirates rivalry (or indeed the Pirates v Swallows rivalry, which is often called the ‘original’ Soweto derby), this meeting of the Birds and the Amakhosi at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday is nonetheless a key match for both teams.

Swallows are desperate for their fortunes to turn after a 1-0 loss at the hands of TS Galaxy last weekend brought their winless streak to 10 matches.

Chiefs, meanwhile, have shrugged off their early-season struggles and have been rising steadily up the log in recent weeks, but will need to keep up their consistency if they are to have hopes of challenging for the title – something their opponents were dreaming of earlier this season.

“The plan was to challenge for the title this season, challenge for honours and win a trophy in the second season [after promotion], and that has always been my objective,” coach Brandon Truter said in the wake of the defeat to Galaxy.

He added, “Football is easy to fix in terms of on the field and preparations, but there are underlying issues, and we need to get to that. We need to see what is happening. Maybe it is the lifestyle or tactical discipline. Maybe it is mentality and character, and the will to win and things like that.”

The weekend opens with two games on Saturday, as champions Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Sekhukhune United to Tshwane, and TS Galaxy look to continue their momentum with a clash against Cape Town City.

Sunday offers up four matches, with the Swallows-Chiefs derby joined in the afternoon by Golden Arrows hosting Baroka FC, and Royal AM taking on Stellenbosch FC in a clash of the two surprise packages of the season thus far.

The early evening clash is a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the Harry Gwala Stadium, as Maritzburg United take on AmaZulu.

The weekend features just six games instead of the usual eight, as Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants will be in CAF Confederation Cup playoff, first-leg action, taking on LPRC Oilers (Liberia) and TP Mazembe (DR Congo) respectively.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

All times CAT

Saturday 27 November

15:30: Mamelodi Sundowns v Sekhukhune United

15:30: TS Galaxy v Cape Town City

Sunday 28 November

15:30: Golden Arrows v Baroka FC

15:30: Royal AM v Stellenbosch FC

15:30: Swallows FC v Kaizer Chiefs

17:30: Maritzburg United v AmaZulu