The stage is set for the DStv Premiership weekend fixtures. Only three weeks. There are 27 more matches left for teams to play.
If your club hasn’t performed its best through the opening three contests, fear not. There is lots of football left to play.
However, as we see with most seasons in the South African football top-flight, you never really know what to expect.
GOOD STARTERS
The new kid on the block Richards Bay have made a bold statement in the top-flight as they are yet to lose a game this campaign. They won two games and drew one.
The KwaZulu-Natal side are currently top of the table with seven points and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run when they face the wounded tigers Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium (15:00).
TS Galaxy will travel to the KZN province to lock horns with struggling Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo in the afternoon.
The Rockets are placed second also with seven points and would want to continue with their impressive start of the new DStv Premiership season.
Coach Sead Ramovic told the media during the pre-season camp that they gunning for a top-eight finish.
AmaZulu will get the weekend fixtures underway on Friday night (19:30) travelling to Swallows FC.
Usuthu came back from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Cape Town City last weekend, therefore, the side would like to register their third consecutive win and maintain their unbeaten run and climb up the table.
Orlando Pirates, who have played four games thus far, and managed to collect seven points in the process, will make a short trip to Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium to entertain Supersport United.
Bucs come into this game on high morale following their 1-0 victory against the in-form Royal AM.
The Soweto giants will want to hold on to their winning formula from their previous game to keep their hopes of winning the league title alive.
FAIR STARTERS
Mamelodi Sundowns showed its impressive muscle with a 4-0 rout of the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs last weekend.
Downs, who are placed fifth on the log standings will battle it out with Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba.
The Chloorkop-based outfit will be aiming to reclaim the top spot to increase its chances to defend its league title.
However, Sekhukhune on the other hand has a point to prove as they will be playing at home.
The club head coach Kaitano Tembo made it clear that they want to make Peter Mokaba their slaughter house and collect more points at home as it is of paramount importance to make use of their home ground advantage.
Royal AM will want to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Pirates when they take on Marumo Gallants who are yet to concede a goal.
But their first two wins will give them so much confidence going into this game.
Stellenbosch FC has a mammoth task ahead of them as they will be facing Cape Town City in the Cape Town derby.
The Citizens suffered three successive defeats this season, and that will make things difficult for Stellies to get a win against the struggling neighbours.
BAD STARS
Chiefs will be hoping to redeem themselves after their humiliation in the hands of Bafana Ba Style last weekend.
However, it won’t be easy as they welcome a side [Richards Bay] that is highly motivated and has yet to lose a match.
But the Glamour Boys’ head coach Arthur Zwane remain calm amid a stormy start to the season.
Arrows, SuperSport and City who all collected a point each, will want to turn the tables round and register their first wins of the season, and give hope to their supporters.
Here’s the full schedule for the weekend fixtures:
Friday, 19 August
Swallows v AmaZulu (19:30)
Saturday, 20 August
Sekhunene United v Mamelodi Sundowns (15:00)
Cape Town City v Stellenbosch (15:00)
Maritzburg United v Chippa United (20:00)
Kaizer Chiefs v Richards Bay (20:00)
Sunday, 21 August
Royal AM v Marumo Gallants (15:00)
SuperSport United v Orlando Pirates (17:00)
