Friday May 24, 2024. 11:00
Mamelodi Sundowns will bid to make yet more history – an all-time points record and an ‘invincibles’ season – as South Africa’s DStv Premiership wraps up the 2023-24 campaign with eight simultaneous matches on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns, who have long since secured a seventh successive title, are looking to complete a full 30-match season with an unbeaten record, having racked up 22 wins and seven draws from their 29 league outings thus far.
In addition, the Brazilians could set an all-time PSL points record if they defeat Cape Town City at the Loftus Stadium. Currently on 73 points (already a record for a 30-match season), another three-point haul would see Rhulani Mokwena’s side eclipse the 34-match season record of 75 points – set by Sundowns (1998-99 and 1999-2000) and Kaizer Chiefs (1998-99).
The race for second place will also feature prominently, with Stellenbosch FC hoping to hold off Orlando Pirates and secure qualification for the CAF Champions League for the first time.
Second-placed Stellies, who hold a one-point lead over the third-placed Buccaneers, will be away to Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Pirates, meanwhile, will host SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Jose Riveiro, coach of the Buccaneers, has admitted that failing to claim second place and secure a spot in the top continental competition would make this league season a failure.
“I think there’s no excuses… you need to go an extra mile, players and coaching staff, to make sure that the club finish at least second because we can’t finish first, obviously. Anything less than that, is not going to be a good season for us,” said the Spaniard.
Stellenbosch’s match could also be key in deciding which team faces the University of Pretoria and Baroka FC in the promotion/relegation playoffs: Richards Bay are currently in the playoff slot (15th), but a win over their Winelands visitors, combined with a loss for Royal AM (14th) at Moroka Swallows would send ‘Thwihli Thwahla’ into the perilous three-way battle on goal difference.
“And then our next project was to look at someone who is on top of us as to how many points and we had a chance [last Saturday], had we won the game [3-1 loss to Cape Town City] I think we would be on top of Royal AM because of the goal difference,” said Natal Rich Boyz coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
“But I think we should have capitalised on this one, but it was just not meant to be but we still have to fight. We still have to fight, you will never know what can happen, a miracle I think is pending for this league come [the final day].”
Another key element will be the final place up for grabs in the top half of the table – and the berth in next season’s MTN8 that comes with it. Kaizer Chiefs (8th) currently occupy the sought-after position, but they only lead AmaZulu (9th) and Polokwane City (10th) on goal difference (-3, -4 and -7 respectively), while Golden Arrows (11th) and even Chippa United (12th) have hope, being one and two points adrift respectively.
The Amakhosi will look to win away to relegated Cape Town Spurs, which should be enough to secure eighth place – but they have managed just one win in their last 10 league matches.
AmaZulu and Arrows meet at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for their Durban Derby, while Polokwane host Galaxy and Chippa welcome Sekhukhune United to the Buffalo City Stadium.
DStv Premiership weekend fixtures
Saturday 25 May – all matches kick-off at 15:00 CAT
AmaZulu FC v Golden Arrows
Mamelodi Sundowns v Cape Town City
Moroka Swallows v Royal AM
Richards Bay v Stellenbosch FC
Cape Town Spurs v Kaizer Chiefs
Orlando Pirates v SuperSport United
Chippa United v Sekhukhune United
Polokwane City v TS Galaxy
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