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Following their exploits in the CAF Champions League over the past two weeks, Mamelodi Sundowns return to action in the
DStv Premiership still in pole position this week.
Richards Bay, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs all had the chance to knock Sundowns off the summit over the weekend, but the trio missed out after dropping points in their respective games.
Pirates remain three points adrift of the Brazilians in fifth place after recording back-to-back draws against Richards Bay (0-0) and AmaZulu (1-1).
The Buccaneers take on Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday looking to snap a three-match winless streak in the league. Abafana Bes'thende (8th) drew 1-1 with Stellenbosch on Friday to extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Sea Robbers head coach Jose Riveiro has tipped Nkosinathi Sibisi to bounce back after missing a penalty against Usuthu with the score deadlocked at 1-1.
"Sibisi is a rock and he will be back. Obviously, we are all disappointed with the result but it's not because we missed a penalty," Riveiro said.
SuperSport United will be targeting a fifth win in seven matches when they lock horns with Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Matsatsantsa have closed to within two points of the league leaders in third position after registering back-to-back 3-1 wins against Royal AM and Sekhukhune United. The Maroons (6th) are looking to get back on the winning trail following a 1-1 draw against Arrows on Friday, which extended their winless run to two outings.
Chippa United will be hoping to keep the momentum going when they host Sekhukhune United at the Chatsworth Stadium.
The Chilli Boys (7th) claimed a surprise 2-1 victory over Chiefs on Saturday to make it three wins on the spin for the first time in six years. Babina Noko saw a three-match unbeaten run come to an end with their loss to SuperSport, which has left them just one point clear of the relegation zone in 13th spot.
In Wednesday's action, Sundowns will look to firm their grip on top spot when they welcome Marumo Gallants to Loftus Versfeld.
Masandawana have two games in hand on most of their title rivals and sit atop the standings on goal difference ahead of the Natal Rich Boyz, who are tied with them on 19 points. Gallants (15th) finally picked up their first win of the season when they beat TS Galaxy 1-0 a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Richards Bay entertain Cape Town City at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium determined to keep the pressure on the Brazilians.
The National First Division champions extended their undefeated run in the top flight to six matches with a goalless draw against local rivals Maritzburg United on Saturday. The Citizens (12th) are also defending an unbeaten streak stretching back six games after losing their opening three encounters of the campaign.
Chiefs will attempt to bounce back from their weekend disappointment against Chippa when they meet TS Galaxy at the FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi had surged up the table to fourth position after winning three games on the spin prior to Saturday's setback, which saw them fail to capitalise on the slip-ups by their rivals. The Rockets (11th) continue to struggle after a goalless draw with Swallows last time out left them without a win in their last seven encounters.
Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane was left to rue his side's missed opportunities against the Chilli Boys, but insists he will keep working with his players until they get it right.
"This is a part of football, there comes a time where clubs go through these sorts of things," Zwane stated. "How many times did we have the goalkeeper beaten hands down today and still failed to score? Our job as coaches is to not give up on these boys.
"We need to go back to the field and keep practising our finishing because we get into the right positions to score all the time, but we're just missing that final touch."
Elsewhere, AmaZulu (10th) and Maritzburg United (14th) square off in a KZN derby at Moses Mabhida Stadium, while rock-bottom Swallows face ninth-placed Royal AM at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Midweek DStv Premiership fixtures
Tuesday:
17h00: Chippa United v Sekhukhune United
17h00: Stellenbosch v SuperSport United
19h30: Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates
Wednesday:
17h00: AmaZulu v Maritzburg United
19h30: Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants
19h30: Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy
19h30: Richards Bay v Cape Town City
19h30: Swallows v Royal AM
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