Pirates, Bay hope to close in on Sundowns

Orlando Pirates players celebrate a goal

Tuesday Oct 04, 2022. 10:32

The likes of Orlando Pirates and Richards Bay will hope to close in on DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in a seven-game midweek round on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 October.

The Brazilians will be absent for this midweek round as they embark on a lengthy trip to the Seychelles for a CAF Champions League clash away to La Passe, allowing their five-point lead at the top to be eaten into.

Closest chasers Pirates will be away to Sekhukhune United in a late afternoon kick-off on Tuesday, with Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro hoping his side can build on a goalless stalemate with ‘Downs in an MTN8 semifinal, first leg match this past weekend.

“But overall I think [it was] the game that everybody expects, equal and with Pirates showing that we can compete also in these types of games, we’re going [to be] serious,” said the Spaniard.

Top-flight rookies Richards Bay are level with Pirates and looking to continue their impressive start to the season with a win away to AmaZulu in a KwaZulu-Natal derby on Wednesday – a match which will be followed by a Soweto derby between Swallows FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Dobsonville Stadium.

Other games of note include Golden Arrows at home to Cape Town City, with Abafana Bes’thende clicking into top form in their last outing – a 4-0 thrashing of Swallows – and taking aim at the Citizens next.

Arrows star Nduduzo Sibiya is hopeful the international break did not derail the rhythm his team had built through September: “We haven’t played even a friendly game since our last game against Swallows,” he explained.

“However, I am happy that it [the break] also gave a few players a chance to recover from injuries. When you’re winning, you’d always prefer to keep on playing to maintain your momentum and we’re no exception.”

Elsewhere, Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy will host Maritzburg United and Marumo Gallants respectively, while SuperSport United will look for a move into the upper regions of the log with a win at home to Royal AM.

DStv Premiership midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Tuesday 4 October

17:00: Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates

19:30: Stellenbosch FC v Maritzburg United

19:30: Golden Arrows v Cape Town City

19:30: TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants

19:30: SuperSport United v Royal AM

Wednesday 5 October

17:00: AmaZulu v Richards Bay

19:30: Swallows FC v Kaizer Chiefs