Four teams chasing a hat-trick of wins

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 15, 2023. 11:00

No less than four teams will be chasing a hat-trick of league wins when the DStv Premiership resumes this weekend with a quartet of matches across Friday 15 to Sunday 17 September 2023.

The first seeking a trio of successive wins is Kaizer Chiefs, who endured a tough start to the season, but back-to-back triumphs over AmaZulu (3-0 home) and Stellenbosch FC (2-0 away) – as well as a 1-1 draw with all-conquering Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 just before the international break – has lifted the spirits of the Amakhosi ahead of their clash with Royal AM at the FNB Stadium on the early evening of Saturday.

“I still believe that we can do better, and we should not be carried away by saying that we drew and it’s okay. It’s not okay,” said Ntseki after almost defeating the Brazilians.

He added, “The technical team and the players are focused on getting things right and enjoy being on the pitch – something that means scoring goals and not conceding goals. And I think we are on the right track.”

Thwihli Thwahla, on the other hand, are also chasing a third straight win after defeating TS Galaxy (1-0 home) and Chippa United (3-2 away) in their last two outings.

The truncated round gets underway on Friday evening when Moroka Swallows host Richards Bay at the Dobsonville Stadium. While the Birds are looking for a third successive victory after downing Sekhukhune United (2-1 away) and Cape Town Spurs (3-1 home) in their last two league games, the Natal Rich Boyz are desperate to break their drought: a 1-1 draw at home to Sekhukhune last time out brought their winless run in the Premiership to 19 matches.

Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo remains hopeful, despite his side’s inability to bring in reinforcements in the transfer window: “We don’t have the finances to go out there and try and get players. We just have to work with the players that we have, and make sure that we are positive. We believe in them, and try and get the best out of them, then we’ll get the results, hopefully.”

Saturday, aside from the Chiefs v Royal match, also features Golden Arrows hosting Stellenbosch FC at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale. Abafana Bes’thende are yet another team chasing a hat-trick of wins following their triumphs over Polokwane City (3-2 home) and SuperSport United (3-0 away), while Stellies have slumped to three straight defeats across all competitions.

Sunday’s lone match sees AmaZulu host Cape Town City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Usuthu registered a first win of the season when they edged TS galaxy 1-0 before the international break, while the Citizens have suffered four straight defeats across all competitions.

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 15 September

19:30: Moroka Swallows v Richards Bay

Saturday 16 September

15:00: Golden Arrows v Stellenbosch FC

17:30: Kaizer Chiefs v Royal AM

– TS Galaxy v SuperSport United – Postponed

– Cape Town Spurs v Orlando Pirates – Postponed

Sunday 17 September

17:30: AmaZulu v Cape Town City