AmaZulu-Arrows derby the pick of midweek matches

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Aug 23, 2022. 11:00

South Africa’s DStv Premiership will continue with a full round of matches on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 August, the pick of which is a Durban derby clash between AmaZulu and Golden Arrows.

Usuthu and Abafana Bes’thende will meet at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the teams enjoying very different fortunes thus far in the 2022-23 season.

AmaZulu are unbeaten after four matches and their haul of 10 points from a possible 12 sees them top the log by two points from nearest chasers TS Galaxy and Orlando Pirates, while Arrows have yet to win this season and find themselves second from bottom on the standings – only goal difference sees them ahead of Cape Town City.

The table-toppers come into the clash on the back of a thrilling 3-2 away win over coach Brandon Truter’s former team, Swallows FC, last Friday night – and the tactician is hoping his side can tighten up in defence heading into the derby.

“Look for us, it’s goals conceded again,” said the Usuthu boss. “That’s my only worry, look we’ll score with the firepower we have upfront and from the bench as well. I’m confident that we’ll score again but conceding goals is now a problem for us.”

The midweek action opens on Tuesday with Swallows hosting Sekhukhune United, while Cape Town City will be under pressure to claim a first win of the campaign when they welcome Kaizer Chiefs – and the Amakhosi are high on confidence after claiming a win over Richards Bay this past weekend, despite playing two thirds of the game with 10 men.

Wednesday’s early clash sees reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns looking to click back into winning form, but they will face a stiff test against an unbeaten Stellenbosch FC, followed by five evening kick-offs, including Pirates at home to Marumo Gallants, a KwaZulu-Natal derby between Royal AM and Maritzburg United, Galaxy visiting Chippa United, and SuperSport United chasing their first win when they visit Richards Bay.

The DStv Premiership will take a break this coming weekend to accommodate the MTN8 quarterfinals, with the league resuming with a full round from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 September.

DStv Premiership midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Tuesday 23 August

19:30: Cape Town City v Kaizer Chiefs

19:30: Swallows FC v Sekhukhune United

Wednesday 24 August

17:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Stellenbosch

19:30: Chippa United v TS Galaxy

19:30: Royal AM v Maritzburg United

19:30: Orlando Pirates v Marumo Gallants

19:30: AmaZulu v Golden Arrows

19:30: Richards Bay v SuperSport United