KZN derby, Chiefs headline DStv Premiership action this weekend

Clayton Daniels of Maritzburg United challenges Velemseni Ndwandwe of Lamontville Golden Arrows during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 game between Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on 21 August 2021 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Feb 24, 2022. 16:00

A KwaZulu-Natal derby, as well as Kaizer Chiefs looking to return to top form, will headline a truncated set of five matches in South Africa’s DStv Premiership this weekend.

The action opens on Friday evening at the Harry Gwala Stadium as KZN rivals Maritzburg United and Golden Arrows cross swords, with the latter club looking to bounce back from a defeat to Cape Town City last time out.

“They [Arrows’ players] need to learn that the chances we get if we are not using them they can come and haunt us,” coach Lehlohonolo Seema said. “Now it’s really tight and it’s getting tougher and tougher for them but we have to pick them up, Friday is a toughie.”

Saturday features two key games in the relegation battle, as Chippa United host Marumo Gallants and Swallows FC are away to Sekhukhune United – with Birds coach Dylan Kerr hoping that his players can find the togetherness and determination to lift their performance level.

“I’ve been in this situation three times before with 10 games to play I needed five results and it’s actually been worse because the other three teams weren’t of the quality that Swallows have got,” Kerr said.

“But the problem is, on the other hand, the team spirit and the camaraderie and the togetherness of the other teams was there.”

Saturday also sees Kaizer Chiefs looking to get back on the winning path after opening 2022 with a disappointing exit from the Nedbank Cup and a 0-0 draw with City last midweek.

“I think we asked a lot of questions with our movement and with our build-up play and around the box we were still quite good, but we didn’t get enough movement around our front three and the service into them on a difficult pitch was always very hard,” said Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter.

Sunday’s lone game has Royal AM looking to complete a league ‘double’ over SuperSport United after a thrilling clash earlier this season, at Chatsworth Stadium in November 2021, which saw Thwihli Thwahla claim a dramatic 2-1 home win thanks to last-gasp goals from Zukile Mkhize and Menzi Masuku.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 25 February

19:30: Maritzburg United v Golden Arrows

Saturday 26 February

15:30: Chippa United v Marumo Gallants

17:30: Sekhukhune United v Swallows FC

19:30: Baroka FC v Kaizer Chiefs

Sunday 27 February

15:30: SuperSport United v Royal AM