The midweek South African Premiership fixtures promise exciting encounters, with the standout match being the Tshwane derby between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday evening at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
SuperSport, in desperate need of a turnaround, have seen their form take a dive with three consecutive league defeats, including a 2-1 loss to AmaZulu last Saturday. On the other hand, Sundowns are riding high with an impressive eight-game winning streak after their dominant 4-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday. This clash carries major implications for the title race, with Sundowns eyeing their rivals Orlando Pirates, who will face Sekhukhune United earlier in the evening at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sundowns’ remarkable form can be attributed to the influence of coach Miguel Cardoso, whose arrival has injected a new energy into the team. Cardoso’s winning mentality is evident, and players like Mothobi Mvala are thriving under his leadership.
The coach came with a lot of energy, and that is rubbing off on the players,” Mvala stated. “He is a winner, and Sundowns always want to win everything. We have quality players who adjust quickly to the coach’s philosophy, and that’s what helps us win and get results. We just need to keep pushing forward, knowing that there is still room for improvement.”
Mvala also emphasized the team’s commitment to constant improvement, stating, “The coach is working hard at training, and the guys do a debrief after every game to address mistakes and areas where we could have done better. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, other key midweek fixtures include Kaizer Chiefs hoping to bounce back from their recent Soweto derby defeat when they host AmaZulu at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
At the other end of the table, bottom-placed Magesi FC will be fighting for survival as they aim to end an 11-match winless streak against Chippa United at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Richards Bay, who are looking to pull away from the relegation playoff zone, will take on Marumo Gallants at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Wednesday’s action continues with Cape Town City facing Golden Arrows at Athlone Stadium, both sides hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
In another exciting matchup, third-placed Polokwane City, who are unbeaten in their last seven league games, will take on in-form TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium. Polokwane coach Phuti Mohafe is pleased with his team’s defensive solidity but admits that finishing remains a work in progress.
“What we are doing defensively, we are doing a great job. The only thing we need to master now is putting the ball in the back of the net,” Mohafe said.
One match, however, has been postponed as Royal AM’s scheduled home fixture against Stellenbosch FC has been delayed due to ongoing financial and administrative issues.
PSL Midweek Fixtures:
Tuesday, 4 February
Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu – 19:30
Magesi FC vs Chippa United – 19:30
Richards Bay vs Marumo Gallants – 19:30
Wednesday, 5 February
Cape Town City vs Golden Arrows – 19:30
Sekhukhune United vs Orlando Pirates – 19:30
SuperSport United vs Mamelodi Sundowns – 19:30
TS Galaxy vs Polokwane City – 19:30
The midweek fixtures promise a thrilling round of action as teams battle for vital points in the race for the title and survival.
