KwaZulu-Natal battles in Betway Premiership this weekend

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 13, 2024. 13:00

South Africa’s Betway Premiership will feature a truncated weekend of action from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December, with KwaZulu-Natal derbies pitting AmaZulu FC against Royal AM, and Golden Arrows against Richards Bay the headline fixtures.

AmaZulu and Royal will meet on Friday evening at the King Zwelithini Stadium, with both looking for a return to winning form: Usuthu missed out on a hat-trick of wins when they were beaten 1-0 by TS Galaxy last weekend, while Thwihli Thwahla have gone three games without a win but showed great character in their last outing in late November to fight back from two goals down to hold Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 away from home.

AmaZulu midfielder Ethan Brooks has hailed the impact of co-coaches Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who replaced Pablo Franco Martin just over two months ago.

“I’d say the coaches have changed our attitude and mindset. We understand what they want from us, so I give them credit […] because they’re really pushing us to fight very hard in every game without being picky and performing only against the big teams,” explained Brooks.

Saturday’s afternoon kick-off comes from the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale and sees Arrows host Richards Bay.

While Abafana Bes’thende are targeting a third successive win after thrilling 3-2 wins over both Royal and Cape Town City in their past two matches, the Natal Rich Boyz are desperate to snap a run of five successive losses across all competitions. Their most recent defeat was at home to SuperSport United last weekend, further cementing their place at the very bottom of the Premiership log.

Both teams are in an uncertain place regarding their coaching positions, with Mabhuti Khenyeza linked with a departure from Arrows despite their upturn in form, while Bay’s Ronnie Gabriel is still finding his feet as an interim after the recent departure of Brandon Truter.

Saturday will also feature a late-afternoon clash pitting Chippa United against Cape Town City at the Buffalo City Stadium, with the visitors from the ‘Mother City’ under pressure to avoid a hat-trick of defeats, while the evening game at the Lucas Moripe Stadium is a first-ever competitive meeting of SuperSport United and Magesi FC.

Sunday’s lone match sees third-placed Polokwane City host an in-form Marumo Gallants at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have won three of their last four matches across all competitions and downed Magesi 3-1 at home last weekend.

Betway Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 13 December

19:30: AmaZulu FC v Royal AM

Saturday 14 December

15:30: Golden Arrows v Richards Bay

17:45: Chippa United v Cape Town City

20:00: SuperSport United v Magesi FC

Sunday 15 December

15:30: Polokwane City v Marumo Gallants