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This weekend's
DStv Premiership fixtures sees the bottom four clubs all in action as Swallows lock horns with TS Galaxy in a relegation six-pointer.
Chippa United and Royal AM get the ball rolling on Saturday afternoon when they clash at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
The Chilli Boys are just two points clear of the relegation places in 13th spot after they suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Mamelodi Sundowns on February 7.
Thwihli Thwahla made history in midweek when they beat Sekhukhune United for the first time as Victor Letsoalo's 49th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win.
John Maduka's side moved up to fifth in the table on 29 points, just one shy of the top-three, and even though the head coach was delighted to finally get the better of Babina Noko, he says they must continue to fight for every point on offer, no matter the opposition.
"It means a lot to us... It's good for the team going forward (but) it's not about Sekhukhune only, any team that comes we must try to win the game and make sure we get the points that we need," Maduka said in his post-match interview on Tuesday.
Swallows then welcome basement boys TS Galaxy to the Dobsonville Stadium in the evening kick-off for what will be a massive encounter to their respective survival prospects.
The Dube Birds claimed a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against high-flying Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday, which lifted them out of the drop zone to 14th position.
Dylan Kerr feels the Soweto outfit can kick on now after he finally had time to work with the players during the mid-season break following a hectic festive schedule.
"(I had) this month to work with them and do the things that I know these players are capable of, I think we're turning the corner and it's just now a matter of being consistent in the way that we played and worked today both on and off the ball which was a different class for me," Kerr said after the stalemate in the Western Cape.
Sead Ramovic's men haven't played in the league since losing 1-0 at home to Stellies in their final outing of 2021, although they earned another feather in their cap by beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 on February 12.
The Rockets are just two points adrift of safety and victory could see them climb as high as 13th if other results go their way.
Meanwhile, draw specialists Golden Arrows are set to host Cape Town City at the Princess Magogo Stadium in the first of two games taking place on Sunday.
Abafana Bes'thende held Orlando Pirates to a goalless tie at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, which was their 10th draw in 18 outings this season.
The ninth-placed Citizens are only one point and one position better off than Arrows after playing out to a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at Newlands on Tuesday.
City head coach Eric Tinkler feels it is vital to build up a head of steam as they look to improve their standing during the second half of the campaign.
"There's certain positives that we can take from the performance but we would've loved to have collected three points, we take one and now we move on and start prepping for the game against Golden Arrows," Tinkler said.
"Trying to get that momentum again is going to be the key factor for us and with these games we can only get better and stronger."
The weekend's action draws to a close with a buoyant Baroka visiting Ellis Park to take on Sekhukhune United on Sunday evening.
Bakgaga scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek to momentarily escape the relegation zone.
However, the Limpopo outfit dropped back to 15th place after Swallows picked up a point in Stellenbosch 48 hours later.
Babina Noko's loss to Royal AM on Tuesday extended their winless run in the league to five matches and they remain two points above City in eighth spot.
MacDonald Makhubedu felt his team was unfortunate not to come away with victory on the day and is confident of getting a result against Baroka as long as his players deliver a similar performance.
"I will take this first game of the year, I will take this performance and build on it for the next game. If they can give me half of this performance next game I'm sure we can get three points," Makhubedu said in his post-match interview.
Saturday's DStv Premiership fixtures:
Chippa United v Royal AM
Swallows v TS Galaxy
Sunday's DStv Premiership fixtures:
Golden Arrows v Cape Town City
Sekhukhune United v Baroka
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