Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates can pile the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns with midweek clashes
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates aim to close the gap on Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with their midweek matches against Siwelele and Polokwane City, respectively, as both teams seek to bounce back from recent setbacks in African competitions. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
It’s an intriguing time in the Betway Premiership, as both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have the chance to close the gap on table-topper Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday evening. Both matches kick off at 7.30pm.
The defending champions Sundowns once more top the log, with 21 points from 10 games.
Both Chiefs (fourth) and Pirates (third), though, are on 15 points after fewer games. Pirates have played seven matches, and Chiefs eight.
It’s for that reason that their midweek clashes will have renewed interest.
Pirates vs Polokwane City and Chiefs vs Siwelele: Match Previews and Recent Performances
Pirates host Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium, while Chiefs are at home at FNB Stadium to Siwelele.
The Buccaneers come into the match off the back of their crushing 3-0 first-leg qualifying round loss to Saint Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Champions League on Sunday. That defeat broke a string of wins across all competitions for Pirates, and they will want to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
In fact, that defeat for Pirates came despite the presence of Oswin Appollis, Thalente Mbatha, and Evidence Makgopa, who were all three goal-scorers in Bafana Bafana’s final Fifa World Cup qualifier match which booked their ticket to the quadrennial showpiece event next year.
Meanwhile, for Chiefs, there was also frustration in African competition over the weekend as they played out to a goalless draw against hosts AS Simba in their Caf Confederation Cup second qualifying round first leg clash.
The other match on Wednesday evening will see Stellenbosch FC host Golden Arrows at Athlone Stadium.