Image copyright: Getty Images
2022/23 DStv Premiership
Matchday 22
3-6 March 2023
Mamelodi Sundowns are just three wins away from a historic sixth consecutive
DStv Premiership title, with locals rivals SuperSport United looking to delay the celebrations for as long as possible.
The matchday 22 action kicks off on Friday with another Soweto derby as Swallows welcome Orlando Pirates to the Dobsonville Stadium.
The Buccaneers faced arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the more famous local derby last weekend, with the Glamour Boys emerging 1-0 victors to move level with their neighbours on 31 points.
Pirates remain third in the standings despite suffering a second defeat in three games, while the Dube Birds sit three points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place courtesy of a 2-1 win at Chippa United last Sunday, which was their second victory in three outings.
Kaizer Chiefs will look to build on their first win in three matches when they lock horns with Richards Bay at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Amakhosi (5th) are tied with the Natal Rich Boyz (4th) on 31 points after doing the league double over Bucs. The Motsepe Foundation Championship winners' form continued to dip with a 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch - their third defeat on the spin.
Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane was impressed by Mduduzi Shabalala's performance in the derby and he plans to give more youngsters a chance in the final nine games of the season, saying it's an important aspect of the club.
"Mdu [Shabalala] is a special talent, he is a bit like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, though Mdu is a bit explosive and I'm a believer of giving youngsters an opportunity because I was once a youngster and I was given a fair chance to express myself," Zwane said.
"So as soon as we settle in terms of what we want to achieve from our side, you'll see more youngsters because they are the future of this country. And if you go back and look at the history of Kaizer Chiefs, whenever they dominated they had quite a few youngsters from the development that understand the culture and know what it means to play for a club of Kaizer Chiefs' calibre."
Sekhukhune United will attempt to rediscover their early form under Brandon Truter when they tackle Royal AM at the Chatsworth Stadium.
Truter went unbeaten in his opening five matches at the helm but a 1-0 reverse to Cape Town City last Saturday made it three defeats in four for Babina Noko, who dropped to seventh in the standings on 27 points. Thwihli Thwahla are a point further behind in 10th place after a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu extended their unbeaten run to three games.
Cape Town City will be keen to keep the momentum going when they face struggling Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in the late kick-off.
The Citizens (6th) closed to within two points of Chiefs, Richards Bay and Pirates after their triumph over Sekhukhune, which came on the back of a 2-0 win against Swallows the previous weekend. The Team of Choice are just three points clear of rock-bottom Marumo Gallants in 15th spot following a 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United, which stretched their winless streak to four matches.
Then on Sunday, league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will look to take a step closer to retaining their domestic crown when they go up against Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The Brazilians were last in league action a month ago when they edged Pirates 1-0 to extend their record winning sequence in the league to 15 games and open up a 20-point-plus lead over the chasing pack. The gap is now down to 19 points as the other teams caught up to Sundowns in games played but another trophy is destined for the cabinet at Chloorkop if they keep that streak going.
Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena believes the PSL Footballer of the Season will come out of their camp given his side's dominance.
"If it was up to me, I would give them [Sundowns players] all player of the year," Mokwena said. "I think the players have been magnificent and I've said it in every press conference - the game of football belongs to the players.
"Whoever is [Footballer of the Season], I'm sure they will come from the Sundowns squad because I think there hasn't been anyone who performed beyond the levels the Sundowns players have performed at."
The Maroons appear to have turned the corner after the victory over the Natal Rich Boyz was their third on the spin. Stellies were relegation candidates a month ago when they embarked on a nine-match winless run but have climbed up to ninth position and find themselves outside the top eight on goal difference alone.
Meanwhile, Marumo Gallants will aim to carry their continental form over into the league when they host TS Galaxy at the Free State Toyota Stadium.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa won two of their opening three CAF Confederation Cup fixtures and recorded four victories in their last five games across all competitions but they need to improve in the top flight if they hope to avoid the drop.
The Rockets have given themselves breathing room in the fight for survival after a 2-1 success against AmaZulu made it three matches without defeat and lifted them up to eighth place on 26 points, five clear of the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, SuperSport United will attempt to cement second spot in the league when Golden Arrows visit the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, while two out-of-form teams will go head to head when Chippa United and AmaZulu meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Matsatsantsa opened up a five-point gap on the three teams directly below them in the table with victory over Maritzburg, which extended their unbeaten run to five outings. Abafana Bes'thende arrested a two-match losing streak with a shock 3-2 triumph over Chiefs but they remain in danger of being sucked into the relegation mire in 12th spot, sitting just four points ahead of the Team of Choice.
The Chilli Boys' poor run of form continued with defeat to Swallows, which made it just one win from their last 10 games. Usuthu (11th) are just two places and one point better off after failing to win their last five matches, although four of those ended in draws.
DStv Premiership matchday 22 fixtures:
Friday, March 3
19h30: Swallows v Orlando Pirates
Saturday, March 4
15h30: Richards Bay v Kaizer Chiefs
17h45: Royal AM v Sekhukhune United
20h00: Maritzburg United v Cape Town City
Sunday, March 5
15h30: Marumo Gallants v TS Galaxy
15h30: Stellenbosch v Mamelodi Sundowns
15h30: Chippa United v AmaZulu
17h45: SuperSport United v Golden Arrows
Kick off your sports betting journey & place a winning bet 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 App.
Stand to win big with Live Games
Enjoy your favourite Live Casino Games from as little as R1 per bet with massive winning potential of up to R5 million on some selected games. Unlock all your favourite Live Games today and take a seat at your favourite tables to take on the dealer head-on.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.