The DStv Premiership continues this weekend. Desh Parthab takes a look at some of the players to keep an eye on including Richards Bay’s Sanele Barnes and Pirates’ Zakhele Lepasa.
Brandon Truter was relieved of his duties as manager of Amazulu, following their loss to Richards Bay. Indeed, the Natal Rich Boyz have taken 12 points from their travels this season – the most from all top-flight clubs.
Indeed, the league newcomers are certainly sitting pretty at the top end of the log. It’s a battle between 5th and 6th as Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch do battle in the Cape.
Amakhosi went the whole of September without seeing defeat, dare I say Arthur Zwane could be onto something here.
My pick of this round of fixtures is a showdown between Supersport United and Sekhukhune United. The fixture is to be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, something of a fortress if this season’s results are anything to go by.
Matsatsantsa are undefeated following visits from South Africa’s big 3 – with Pirates being the only club to have something to show for their visit. Sekhukhune come into this one on the back of a 2-nil victory against the Buccaneers.
Overarching all of this is the homecoming of Kaitano Tembo who has served Supersport for some 23 years, initially as a player and then manager. The emotions will be running high in that one and I think it will come down to who wants it more…
Melusi Buthelezi
Melusi Buthelezi is currently leading the clean sheet charts in the DStv premiership.
The TS Galaxy shot-stopper has notched up 6 shutouts across his 8 league appearances this season.
This weekend, Buthelezi is up against a Swallows team who have netted just once across their four away league appearances this term.
Should he add to his clean sheet tally in this one, the shot-stopper would have equaled his tally for the entire last season.
Sanele Barnes
Sanele Barnes has been in sensational form for Richards Bay. Across his previous 3 away league appearances, the dangerman has returned a goal from his three shots and delivered an assist from his six chances created.
The KwaZulu Natal-based outfit has bagged 6 goals across their four away league outings this term – only Chippa United and Royal AM (both 7) have found the back of the net more often from all top-flight clubs
Zakhele Lepasa
Zakhele Lepasa has been leading the line for the Buccaneers since the start of the season, however, the competition for the starting striker berth at Orlando Pirates just got tougher.
Lepasa has attempted eight shots across his previous three home appearances (across all competitions) where he has returned a goal.
The 25-year-old will be looking to add to his tally and cement a starting spot at the club when Riveiro’s chargers do battle against Richards Bay United at Orlando Stadium.
Gavin Hunt
Gavin Hunt has certainly been making moves at Supersport. The Pretoria-based outfit comes into this round of fixtures in third spot, with a 4-2-3 record.
Matsantsatsa have seen defeat just once across their previous six league outings and Jamie Webber has certainly had a hand in that.
The 24-year-old is yet to provide an attacking return this season, but has attempted seven shots and created four chances across his previous three league outings.
Stellenbosch vs Kaizer Chiefs
Stellenbosch have netted 12 goals this season – only Mamelodi Sundowns (15) have netted more from all top-flight clubs.
Antonio Van Wyk has been involved in 3 goals across his previous three league outings.
During that period, he has attempted seven shots, bagging one goal. Furthermore, he delivered two assists from his seven chances created in that spell.
The Stellies man opened his account for the season with a strike against Maritzburg United in their previous bout and could add to his tally against a Chiefs side who have kept just a single clean sheet across their previous five league outings.
