DStv Premiership continues break-neck start to the season

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Aug 09, 2022. 11:00

South Africa’s DStv Premiership continues its break-neck start to the 2022-23 season with a full round of eight matches spread across Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 August.

Heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs got their campaign off to a stuttering start this past weekend when they were beaten 1-0 at Royal AM – making it three losses from as many league matches against the upstart Thwihli Thwahla since the start of last season – and they will be eager to course correct with a home win over Maritzburg United in the pick of fixtures on Tuesday.

Amakhosi coach Arthur Zwane is not panicking, insisting that his team has the right processes in place and will be rewarded sooner rather than later.

“I’m telling you now, we’re rebuilding this team and we’re going to get it right,” said the former winger. “We’re going to win some games and we’re going to win with flair and win much better. Even [on Saturday] we were a better team by far.”

He added, “We did everything in terms of creating the goalscoring opportunities. The ball was not going to go in and ja, that was the unfortunate part.

“I think the boys executed themselves very well in terms of taking more chances and if the goalkeeper could be the man-of-the-match it means we were unfortunate.”

Tuesday also sees Richards Bay, who marked their Premiership debut with a clinical 2-0 away win over Golden Arrows, welcome Marumo Gallants, while Swallows FC and Cape Town City will both be looking to rebound from opening round losses in their clash at Dobsonville Stadium.

Wednesday sees champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who started the season with a 2-0 win at City to underline their status as favourites for a sixth straight title, welcome TS Galaxy to Loftus Versfeld.

Co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi was impressed with the emphatic opening to the campaign and hopes to see it continue against the Rockets.

“One is impressed to start the league with three points against a team like [Cape Town City], away from home with a clean sheet, which I think Ronwen [Williams] also kept us in the game with a very good save,” explained the tactician.

“I think in terms of the energy and enthusiasm I am very happy for the first match with this intensity, that for me is very good.”

Wednesday also features Orlando Pirates (who opened with a win over Soweto rivals Swallows) facing Stellenbosch FC away from home in a testing clash, AmaZulu tackling SuperSport United, Sekhukhune United hosting Golden Arrows and Chippa United looking to put a dent in Royal AM’s ambitions.

DStv Premiership midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Tuesday 9 August

15:00: Richards Bay v Marumo Gallants

17:00: Swallows FC v Cape Town City

19:30: Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United

Wednesday 10 August

17:00: AmaZulu v SuperSport United

19:30: Sekhukhune United v Golden Arrows

19:30: Mamelodi Sundowns v TS Galaxy

19:30: Chippa United v Royal AM

19:30: Stellenbosch FC v Orlando Pirates