DStv Premiership action returns this weekend after an exciting quarter-final round up in the Nedbank Cup that saw some interesting results. More importantly, the run-in towards the end of the season is fast approaching and every game is more important than the next, as teams fight for their best possible finish.
Friday 21 April
Maritzburg United 14/10 | Draw 2/1 | Richards Bay 2/1 (19:30)
Maritzburg United stay rooted to the bottom of the table in 16th place with just one win in their last five fixtures – a dismal run of form in the league. Fadlu Davids has an extremely difficult task on his hands to keep his team in the topflight for next season, but a win over the Natal Rich Boys will be one step closer to climbing out of the relegation zone.
Richards Bay have fallen out of the top six where they had kept themselves for most part of the season with their incredible start to life in the topflight. Recently they’ve not been able to replicate the same performances and certainly have not looked the same outfit they were in the beginning of the campaign.
The Natal Rich Boys will look to take advantage of Maritzburg’s poor form and go for the win as they look to cement their spot for next season in the topflight. It’s an important game for both teams considering the form they find themselves in, but I’m backing Richards Bay for the win.
Saturday 22 April
Orlando Pirates 8/10 | Draw 22/10 | Cape Town City 7/2 (15:00)
Orlando Pirates have advanced to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup after they were made to sweat before beating third tier side Dondol Stars 5-4 on penalties after extra time.
The Buccaneers still occupy second spot in the league and look a team ripe in form at the moment. Thembinkosi Lorch has been the standout performer for the Buccaneers and has lifted the moral of the team since he’s return to the squad, and now look a solid outfit to take that Champions League spot.
Cape Town City are a well drilled team and Eric Tinkler must take all the credit for the exceptional job he has done thus far with the Blue and Gold Army. Tinkler will not back down but challenge Orlando Pirates on their home turf at the Orlando Stadium and will want his team to go out there and express themselves and play without fear.
I’m expecting an exciting matchup with a lot at stake for both teams. Pirates for the win.
TS Galaxy 15/10 | Draw 2/1 | Royal AM 37/20 (15:00)
TS Galaxy have had a lot of issues on and off the pitch lately which has seen a decline in performances and find themselves dropping down to 10th place.
These in-house issues so to say have been problematic for coach Sead Ramovic and with end of the season fast approaching, there is no telling how this could affect the Rockets and where they finish the season off.
Royal AM will look to pick up the pieces when they face TS Galaxy after they were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup quarter-final by the Glamour Boys.
The Durban-based club has welcomed the return of John Maduka which is a huge boost for the club as they played their best football with Maduka at the helm. Maduka will be hard at work motivating his team to bounce back and put in a strong performance after a disappointing exit in the Cup. Royal AM to get the win.
Stellenbosch 13/10| Draw 2/1 | Swallows 22/10 (17:30)
Stellenbosch have showed a lot of character throughout the season and have been rewarded for their hard work after a sizzling performance when they put a stop to Mamelodi Sundowns’ hopes of winning a treble and knocked the champions out of the quarter-final of the Nedbank Cup.
Stellies have not been at their best in the league but the win against Sundowns can give them huge confidence to pick up positive results from now until the end of the season.
With only seven games to go, Swallows FC interim coach Musa Nyatama is facing an uphill battle to save Swallows from dropping further down the relegation zone. The once “Beautiful Birds” find themselves in an unwanted position, just four points above the relegation and face a huge task when they travel to the Danie Craven Stadium to lock horns with Stellies who will be high in confidence after their incredible display against the champions.
When I look at the situation of both these clubs, it looks bad for the Beautiful Birds. Back Stellenbosch to win in front of their home fans.
Sunday 23 April
Sekhukhune United 22/10 | Draw 21/10 | Kaizer Chiefs 12/10 (15:00)
Sekhukhune United have progressed to the club’s first ever Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating Chippa United 2-1 in the quarter-finals, a hard-fought victory and a huge achievement for the club.
Sekhukhune have been a totally different proposition with Brandon Truter at the wheel, guiding the team in the right direction, believing in his philosophy and now finding themselves in good form as they welcome the Glamour Boys to the Makhulong Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs have been on the rise and going about their business in the right way, making all the noise on the pitch where it matters most. Coach Arthur “10111” Zwane can be proud of the progression he has made with the Glamour Boys after a lot of questions were asked if he is the right man for the job.
The Soweto giants are in the run-in to finish in the top three in the league and are two games away from ending their long-awaited trophy draught. The Glamour Boys have been good on their travels and will not allow complacency to settle in and disrupt the momentum they have picked up. In what is a huge game with both teams high in confidence, I back Chiefs for the win.
SuperSport United 6/10 | Draw 24/10 | AmaZulu 5/1 (17:30)
SuperSport United are level on points with Orlando Pirates with both teams in contention to fight for that coveted second position and a chance to play in next season’s CAF Champions League.
The Tshwane giants have a chance to reclaim second place from Pirates with a win over AmaZulu who are above them on goal difference as it stands. Hunt has one of the smallest squads in the DStv Premiership, but he’s somehow managed to maintain their high standards and deliver on a consistent basis.
AmaZulu have been making headlines for the wrong reasons and find themselves in unfamiliar territory which has had a massive impact on the club’s performances which has put Romain Folz under heavy scrutiny, but it has emerged that Folz’s future at AmaZulu FC is still secure despite a run of bad results at the Durban side.
Under Fohloza, AmaZulu have failed to find any rhythm and it has been a slippery slope. During this period, Usuthu were also knocked out of the Nedbank Cup last 16 by third-tier club Dondol FC last month.
Ayanda Dlamini is appointed interim head coach until the end of the season with a massive job to steady the ship and keep Usuthu on the right track and rebuild for next season. SuperSport are tipped to come away with all three points.
