At long last, club football returns after the disappointment left by the South African national team after they failed to qualify for this year’s AFCON tournament.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Our emotions will have to be put behind us as the greatest league in Africa makes its comeback, albeit without Mzansi’s big three who will attend to their CAF commitments.
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Saturday 3 April
15/10 Swallows | Draw 2/1 | Golden Arrows 37/20 (15:00)
The international break may have come at the perfect time
for Swallows who needed time off from football after going eight league games
without a win. In that period, the Dube Birds have been the most draw-laden
team in the league, losing just a single tie in that run. Golden Arrows have
been one of the most impressive teams in the division and are a point above
third-placed SuperSport United with a game in hand. Arrows looked unbeatable
before the international break and should keep their recent unbeaten record
intact. At 4/10, the visitors look too good to pass up on the Win/Draw
Double Chance.
13/10 Maritzburg United | 2/1 | Chippa United 22/10
(17:00)
Maritzburg United seem to be finding form at the right time
and went into the FIFA break on a four-game unbeaten run, winning twice. They
impressively beat in-form TS Galaxy 2-0 and will be hoping the international
break didn’t interrupt their resurgence up the table. For both sides, this will
be an early six-pointer as Chippa United find themselves level with Maritzburg
United on 17 points, but have played one game more. Ernst Middendorp’s men
are the form team here and should claim maximum points.
1/1 Cape Town City | 21/10 | Baroka 28/10 (17:00)
Cape Town City are another team who needed the international
break after going seven league games without victory. Surprisingly, Jan Olde
Riekerink’s men are still in the top eight after this dismal run of form and
will be hoping to turn their season around and push for the CAF spots. Baroka’s
form has been questionable with the Limpopo-based side winning just one of
their last eight encounters in the DStv Premiership. My money is on Cape
Town City to return to winning ways.
Sunday 4 April
13/10 Bloemfontein Celtic | 2/1 | TS Galaxy 22/10 (15:00)
John Maduka’s Bloemfontein Celtic have been disappointing
after reaching the MTN8 final and are now well-off the pace in terms of the top
eight race. Siwelele are winless in five games, drawing three times in that
run. TS Galaxy’s superb eight-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end as they
went down 2-0 to Maritzburg United before the international break. On the road,
TS Galaxy have managed just two wins from their 10 matches played. I fancy
these sides to cancel each other out here.
3/1 Black Leopards | 22/10 | AmaZulu 9/10 (15:00)
AmaZulu have a shot at revenge when they travel to Limpopo
to face Black Leopards who dumped them out of the Nedbank Cup earlier this
term. The hosts subsequently exited the Nedbank Cup and only have the league to
compete in, where they lie rock-bottom and destined for the drop. AmaZulu are
undefeated in 10 matches in the DStv Premiership and have won the last four on
the bounce. Only something strange can stop Usuthu from winning this clash,
get on!
TREBLE @ 8/1
Maritzburg United Win 13/10
Cape Town City Win 1/1
AmaZulu Win 9/10
Written by Jesse Nagel
