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2022/23 DStv Premiership
Matchday 16
14-16 January 2023
With Mamelodi Sundowns having played in midweek and SuperSport United not in action this weekend, Richards Bay will attempt to haul in the top two on matchday 16.
But first,
Kaizer Chiefs have an opportunity to move into third position when they take on AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
The Glamour Boys (4th) kicked off the new year on a disappointing note after going down 1-0 at home to Sekhukhune United last Saturday, which halted a three-match unbeaten run. Usuthu (12th) lost 2-0 to Royal AM 24 hours later to hand Roman Folz his first league defeat as their head coach.
Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane remains convinced that they're heading in the right direction despite squandering the chance to overtake SuperSport into second place.
"There was an opportunity to be in position two and it didn't happen. So obviously it will happen at the right time, I believe that," Zwane said.
"The performance, when you look at how the boys exerted themselves, I'm a proud coach, I'm proud to work with them and we're on the right track."
Richards Bay will target a return to winning ways when they face rock-bottom Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
The Natal Rich Boys (3rd) saw their impressive nine-game unbeaten run come to an end with a 2-0 loss to Sundowns last Friday, while Bahlabane Ba Ntwa lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Maritzburg United the following day to make it three defeats on the spin.
Elsewhere. Orlando Pirates will be desperate to turn their ailing fortunes around when they welcome Golden Arrows to the Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers find themselves a massive 21 points behind the league leaders in eighth spot after Cape Town City inflicted a third successive defeat on them last time out. Abafana Bes'thende (6th) claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Matsatsantsa on the same day, having lost three of their last four encounters.
Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro admits no-one at the club is happy about their current situation but has faith that better times are just around the corner.
"Obviously, we are not in a situation that we would like to be in terms of points, it goes without saying. None of us, players, coaches and fans [are happy] I'm sure," Riveiro said.
"But we have a clear vision of the team we want to be in the future. Sometimes it takes a bit more time, but we are 100% sure of what we are doing. We have no doubt we will get there sooner rather than later."
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune United will look to keep the momentum going when they lock horns with embattled Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Babina Noko (11th) remain undefeated in three games under Brandon Truter after their surprise victory over Chiefs most recently as the Maroons' struggles continued following a 0-0 draw at TS Galaxy last Sunday, which left them six matches without a win in 13th position.
The pressure is mounting on Morgan Mammila as his Chippa United side host Cape Town City at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Chilli Boys (9th) were unable to prevent Sundowns from recording a 10th straight win on Tuesday, which stretched the Eastern Cape outfit's winless run to five outings. The Citizens claimed their third win in five matches when they beat Pirates 2-1 last Saturday to climb up to seventh place.
The weekend's top-flight football concludes on Sunday with Swallows (14th) and TS Galaxy (10th) going head to head at the Dobsonville Stadium, while Maritzburg United (15th) and Royal AM (5th) clash in a KZN derby at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
DStv Premiership fixtures
Friday:
19h30: AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs
Saturday:
15h30: Marumo Gallants v Richards Bay
15h30: Orlando Pirates v Golden Arrows
17h30: Chippa United v Cape Town City
17h30: Stellenbosch v Sekhukhune United
Sunday:
15h30: Swallows v TS Galaxy
17h30: Maritzburg United v Royal AM
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