DStv Prem: ‘Downs could be confirmed champions this weekend

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 31, 2023. 11:12

Mamelodi Sundowns could be confirmed as champions of the 2022-23 DStv Premiership this weekend – despite the fact that they will not even be playing in the competition until next midweek.

The Brazilians, who are in CAF Champions League action this weekend and will only resume their domestic league duties next Tuesday against Cape Town City, enjoy a 20-point lead over nearest chasers SuperSport United.

Matsatsantsa are the only team with any mathematical chance of catching ‘Downs, and to keep that status alive beyond the weekend they must defeat hosts Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium late on Saturday afternoon.

SuperSport come into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss away to Orlando Pirates prior to the international break, while the Chilli Boys are looking to break a four-game winless streak in the league.

Earlier on Saturday, Pirates will face Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium, with the hosts desperate to end a run of five straight losses (and seven matches without a win). The Natal Rich Boyz responded to their latest setback – a 4-0 hammering by TS Galaxy – by doing away with a co-coach set up and installing Vasili Manousakis as the lone man in charge.

Saturday also features Kaizer Chiefs playing host to in-form Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium, as well as AmaZulu taking on Swallows FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Amakhosi are scrapping with Pirates and SuperSport to end in second place and join Sundowns in next season’s Champions League.

“To be honest, we will always want to put ourselves under pressure and compete at the highest level and be amongst the best,” Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane explained.

“In terms of results we’ve been fluctuating, and it’s understandable because of the injuries. We will try to push hard, to push all the way and treat every game as they come to one game at a time but every game we play we play to win.

“If we get that opportunity of going to the Champions League, that’s actually where we want to go and test ourselves and play Champions League every season.”

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with Golden Arrows and TS Galaxy playing host to Sekhukhune United and Maritzburg United respectively.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Saturday 1 April

15:00: Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates

17:30: Kaizer Chiefs v Stellenbosch FC

17:30: Chippa United v SuperSport United

20:00: AmaZulu v Swallows FC

Sunday 2 April

15:00: Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United

17:30: TS Galaxy v Maritzburg United