Key weekend for Pirates, SuperSport and Chiefs

Orlando Pirates warm up

Friday Apr 07, 2023. 11:00

It will be a key weekend of DStv Premiership action, as Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs continue their race to finish second behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates, SuperSport and Chiefs are all locked on 40 points in a fight to finish as runners-up behind the Brazilians and secure passage into next season’s CAF Champions League.

SuperSport will open the round with a home clash against TS Galaxy at TUT Stadium on Friday evening, hoping to claim all three points and put the pressure on Pirates and Chiefs, who will have to wait until Saturday evening to respond.

The Buccaneers face a tricky clash away to Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while the Amakhosi will welcome Marumo Gallants to FNB Stadium.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has admitted a strong desire to claim second spot and lead the team in African club competition next term.

“When the season started we wished, worked and tried to be at the top, but unfortunately it was impossible to achieve that level of consistency to fight for the top spot this season,” Riveiro said.

“Our objective is to finish as high as possible and that means we badly want to be second to play in Africa next season. We are going to go all the way until the end trying to make sure we are that team [in second] in the end.

“It doesn’t matter who is second [at present], what matters is who is second at the end of the season in the middle of May. We know what we need to do and, hopefully, we are also lucky enough to keep winning.”

Saturday also features a KwaZulu-Natal derby between Richards Bay (who have suffered six successive league defeats) and Golden Arrows, as well as Maritzburg United chasing a second straight win when they visit Sekhukhune United.

Sunday afternoon’s double-header sees Royal AM welcome Stellenbosch at the same time that Swallows FC take on Sundowns, and the round closer comes from the ‘Mother City’ as Cape Town City look to hand AmaZulu a third straight league defeat.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 7 April

19:30: SuperSport United v TS Galaxy

Saturday 8 April

15:00: Richards Bay v Golden Arrows

17:30: Chippa United v Orlando Pirates

17:30: Sekhukhune United v Maritzburg United

20:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Marumo Gallants

Sunday 9 April

15:00: Royal AM v Stellenbosch FC

15:00: Swallows FC v Mamelodi Sundowns

17:30: Cape Town City v AmaZulu