2023/24 DStv Premiership
Matchday 17
13-14 February 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns will look to refocus their efforts in the
DStv Premiership when they take on Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday, February 14.
A crazy December fixture list appeared to catch up to the Brazilians, who saw their 100 per cent record come to an end after drawing two of their last three games in 2023.
Cape Town City halted their perfect start to the season with a 0-0 draw on December 24 and Sundowns also failed to score in their clash with Polokwane City six days later which also finished goalless.
However, the defending champions are still nine points clear of the chasing pack with two games in hand and they recently bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of Thembinkosi Lorch from Orlando Pirates.
"When you have a player like Thembinkosi Lorch that is available on the market and can give you immediate output by helping the team work towards its objectives, of course you have to try and see how possible that is," Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena said.
"We are delighted to have a player of his stature and magnitude because he comes in with heavy expectations and the pressure to deliver. He is that type of player and big things can be expected from him."
Abafana Bes'thende will be hoping for better things in 2024 after closing out the calendar year with a seven-match losing streak, although they were awarded a 3-0 victory over Moroka Swallows following their no-show on December 30.
Cape Town City will be heading into the unknown when they welcome Moroka Swallows to the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, February 13.
The Dube Birds sacked the majority of their squad in January after the players went on strike for their final two outings of 2023 against Sundowns and Arrows, and were subsequently handed 3-0 defeats by the PSL.
The Citizens went into the Africa Cup of Nations break in second place after they beat local rivals Cape Town Spurs 2-0 on December 31 to halt a two-game winless run.
SuperSport United will be aiming to get off to a strong start in the New Year when they host Sekhukhune United at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Matsatsantsa won just two of their last five matches in 2023 and a 3-1 reverse to Richards Bay on December 30 saw them drop to third in the standings behind City on goal difference, with both teams locked on 29 points.
SSU head coach Gavin Hunt will be hoping their injury problems are a thing of the past as he braces himself for a hectic two months where they play eight games in the space of four weeks.
"We have a hell of a calendar. February and March is ridiculous. It's always difficult but every two years it happens and you plan for it," Hunt said.
"There is good and bad, if you're are doing well, you want to keep going and if you're doing poorly, you want to take a break."
Stellenbosch will attempt to build on a fine end to 2023 when they face AmaZulu at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The Maroons won their maiden trophy after beating TS Galaxy on penalties in the Carling Knockout final on December 16, while they edged Orlando PIrates 3-2 in the league a fortnight later to make it four wins on the spin.
That impressive run took Steve Barker's side above Pirates up to fourth position, three points behind City and SuperSport. Usuthu ended the calendar year in the top half of the table (8th) after going unbeaten in their last three games.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will look to get their top-two challenge back on track when they lock horns with Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers suffered back-to-back defeats against Matsatsantsa (3-1) and Stellies (3-2) at the end of December to go into the mid-season break fifth in the standings on 25 points, 13 adrift of DStv Premiership leaders Sundowns.
The Chilli Boys also lost their final two outings in December and find themselves down in 13th spot, five points clear of the danger zone after winning just one of their last five matches.
Kaizer Chiefs will hope to continue making strides under Cavin Johnson when TS Galaxy arrive at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Glamour Boys closed out the calendar year on a four-game unbeaten run, having won three on the trot before playing out to a 0-0 draw with Sekhukhune United on December 30, which left them one point behind arch-rivals Pirates in sixth place.
The Rockets bounced back from the disappointment of their Carling Knockout final loss by claiming successive 2-0 wins against Arrows and Chippa to close within a point of the top eight in ninth position.
DStv Premiership matchday 17 fixtures:
Tuesday, February 13
19h30: Cape Town City v Moroka Swallows
19h30: Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy
19h30: Stellenbosch v AmaZulu
19h30: SuperSport United v Sekhukhune United
19h30: Orlando Pirates v Chippa United
Wednesday, February 14
19h30: Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns
19h30: Polokwane City v Richards Bay
19h30: Royal AM v Cape Town Spurs
Bet on local football
Go mobile with the Betway sports betting app and you can bet on the DSTV Premiership and many other soccer leagues locally and internationally.
Kick off your sports betting journey with our exciting Sports Welcome Offer where you’ll get up to R1,000 as a Free Bet when you make your first deposit.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Start playing on the go and download the Betway