Soweto Derby Steals the Spotlight in Betway Premiership, but Don’t Miss Other Key Fixtures!

While this match will certainly take centre stage, there are also seven other significant games that will impact CAF qualification, MTN8 placements for next season, or relegation battles.

Let’s delve into the key talking points ahead of these matches.

The main event

The focus this weekend is undoubtedly on the Soweto derby scheduled for Sunday, with both teams arriving in fine form.

Chiefs triumphed over Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final last May, but the Buccaneers have had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning six of the last seven meetings. This run is their most impressive since the derby’s inception in 1970.

However, Chiefs enter this clash having garnered 16 points from their last 18 on offer, which has nearly secured them third place in the league standings.

On the flip side, Pirates are desperate for victory to keep their title hopes alive, currently leading second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by just one point, despite having played one more match. They cannot afford any missteps.

When the teams last faced off in late February, Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 victory, although Chiefs were severely hampered by injuries and will be looking to improve this time.

Remarkably, there hasn’t been a draw in their last 17 competitive clashes since 2019, with Pirates claiming nine victories and Chiefs eight. The last level score was a 2-2 draw in the Telkom Knockout back in November 2019.

Sundowns aim for resurgence

Supporters of Sundowns will be hoping for a Chiefs victory as they prepare to face Richards Bay on Sunday in pursuit of reclaiming the top spot in the league.

The Brazilians were held to a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch in midweek, and with matches coming thick and fast, the remainder of the season will test their endurance.

After this game, they have home and away fixtures against Polokwane City lined up next week as they aim to complete their league commitments ahead of the CAF Champions League final.

The draw with Stellenbosch snapped a remarkable run of ten consecutive league victories for Sundowns, while Richards Bay has also shown signs of form lately, taking seven points from the last nine available.

It’s worth noting that Sundowns have been incredibly dominant in their encounters with Richards Bay, winning all 10 previous matches and registering 25 goals while conceding only three.

Strangely, this will be their first trip to Richards Bay since December 2024, as their last three encounters have taken place in Pretoria, where Sundowns scored 11 goals and conceded just one.

Parker’s coaching debut

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana striker Bernard Parker is set to make his debut as a head coach when he leads struggling TS Galaxy in a crucial home match against Magesi FC on Sunday.

The club parted ways with coach Adnan Beganovic on Thursday, just over a week before the Nedbank Cup final against Durban City.

This decision came after a dismal run in the league, where they have suffered nine losses and drawn one from their last ten outings, putting them perilously close to the relegation zone.

A loss to Magesi this weekend could plunge them into a relegation battle, as they currently sit just five points above the second-bottom team.

Magesi, meanwhile, will be buoyed by a rare victory from their last outing, having secured a 5-2 win over Durban City—their first time scoring five goals in a match at the top level.

Interestingly, Magesi remain unbeaten against Galaxy in their four previous encounters, securing three wins and one draw, including a 2-1 victory earlier this season.

They also hold the dubious distinction of being the only top-flight side yet to secure an away victory this season, managing five draws and eight losses on the road.

Orbit’s hopes for recovery

Since qualifying for the Nedbank Cup final next weekend, Durban City have faced a challenging patch, losing three consecutive league games—including a surprising 5-2 setback against struggling Magesi FC.

They will look to turn their fortunes around against an Orbit College side that currently finds itself at the bottom of the league table, having won just once in their last 15 matches, which includes three draws and 11 defeats. Their only victory came against TS Galaxy last month.

Previously, City had ambitions of finishing in the top three to secure a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, but they now find themselves fighting to maintain a top-eight position for entry into the MTN8.

With only three points separating them in sixth place from Stellenbosch FC in ninth, a win is crucial. Conversely, Orbit could escape the bottom two depending on other results, but a draw will likely keep them in last place due to their inferior goal difference.

City claimed a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture back in December, while their two previous meetings in the lower tier last season ended in stalemates.

AmaZulu’s hopes hanging by a thread

AmaZulu’s aspirations of finishing third have dwindled as they’ve managed only two points from the last nine available, but a home match against Chippa United could provide an opportunity to regain momentum.

With Usuthu trailing third-placed Chiefs by seven points and having played one more match, they would likely need to win all five of their remaining games for any chance of success.

Chippa, on the other hand, isn’t completely out of the relegation battle, sitting just four points clear of the relegation play-off zone and five points from automatic relegation. However, a single win could be crucial for them.

Chippa’s away form has been dismal, achieving just one victory in 12 matches this season, along with four draws and seven defeats. In their previous encounter, AmaZulu decisively defeated them 3-0 away in November.

Recent history favours Usuthu, who have won four of the last six clashes with Chippa, although overall, Chippa has a slight edge with nine wins against Usuthu’s seven, with five draws in 21 previous meetings. Notably, Chippa has won six of their ten visits to Durban, along with one draw and three losses.