2023/24 DStv Premiership
Matchday 19
27 February - 1 March 2024
DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will target a return to winning ways when AmaZulu visit Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, February 27.
The Brazilians have seen their lead cut down to nine points after drawing three of their last four games, although they are still unbeaten in the league this season.
Rulani Mokwena's side failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage against 10-man Orlando Pirates on February 17 as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Pretoria.
Usuthu suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to Cape Town Spurs on their return to action after the AFCON break, having gone unbeaten in their last three matches of 2023.
Mokwena bemoaned the absence of key players who returned from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with injuries, which has deprived him of Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau for up to eight weeks.
"Some of it is not even by choice. I mean Mothobi is out and will probably be out for six to eight weeks. Sailor [Mudau] is out and he'll be out for about six to eight weeks also with high-end Grade 3," he said.
"We all saw when he got injured... he still played which disappoints me a little bit. Mshishi [Themba Zwane] also got a niggle, so some of the players that came back from Bafana it's not even about whether we want to give them a break or not. We just can't use them at all because some returned back with serious injuries."
However, all eyes will be on the midweek clash between Cape Town City and SuperSport United at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, February 28.
The two teams squared off in the opening round of the Nedbank Cup eight days earlier as Matsatsantsa eliminated the Citizens on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Gavin Hunt's side are locked in a battle with City for second place and trail their CAF Champions League-chasing rivals on goal difference in third spot.
Neither of them were able to take advantage of Sundowns' stutter after they too drew in the league last time out, with SuperSport's game against Stellenbosch finishing 1-1 - the same scoreline between City and Chippa United.
Shandre Campbell gave SSU the lead in the cup-tie and Hunt insists the youngster needs more time to refine his game despite scoring his third goal of the season.
"Any player needs to be versatile. And playing with a squad like we've got, that was always the secret of the club - we had three or four players who were very versatile," he said.
"I moved him (Campbell) to a different position in the second half - but he's got to get better; playing between the lines, if you want to call it [that]. We just don't want to pigeonhole him in one area.
"We played him out of position on the right tonight, he came inside, played in a different position. But he's got to get better. There are lot of things we've got to work on. But he's young - you've got to give him time."
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch will look to keep the momentum going when they welcome Chippa United to the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday, March 1.
The Maroons have entered the race for a top-two finish after picking up a point against Matsatsantsa on February 16 to close within three of them in fourth position on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.
The Chilli Boys took two points off the Citizens on February 17 to go above Royal AM and Moroka Swallows on goal difference in 12th place.
Elsewhere, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United lock horns at the Mpumalanga Stadium separated by just two points in the standings.
Arrows (9th) went down 3-1 to TS Galaxy on February 18 which was their fourth defeat in five games, while Babina Noko (11th) beat Richards Bay by the same scoreline 24 hours earlier to arrest a two-match winless run.
DStv Premiership matchday 19 fixtures:
Tuesday, February 27
19h30: Mamelodi Sundowns v AmaZulu
Wednesday, February 28
19h30: Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United
19h30: Cape Town City v SuperSport United
Friday, March 1
19h00: Stellenbosch v Chippa United
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