MagRush writer | August 28, 2019
There are six Absa Premiership games that round up midweek football action across the country tonight.
The defending champions [Mamelodi Sundowns] visit Bloemfontein Celtic. Sundowns can expect a vociferous yet jovial crowd in Dr Molemela stadium this evening. Celtic will surely go for a win at home. The ever scintillating Sundowns are without a loss after three games and come into this game with their tails up after their strong showing [trashing AS Otoho d’Oyo 4-0] in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League competition. As usual, they will mesmerize the host. Definitely, Celtic will mount a fight back.
In an earlier kickoff, Baroka FC will squared-up with a rejuvenated SuperSport United FC at Peter Mokaba stadium this evening in Polokwane. Although SuperSport have lost one game, Baroka are yet to drop three points in a match.
Bradley Grobler, sharing the top goal-scorers charts [3 goals with Peter Shalulile (on 3 as well) of Highlands Park] in the league, he is the striker to watch for the Polokwane side [Baroka].
Blowing hot and cold are Orlando Pirates in a duel in Soweto against Golden Arrows tonight. Under the maverick caretaker coach [Rhulani Mokwena], Pirates are going through a semi-transformation phase after head coach [Sredojevic “Micho” Milutin] left in a huff.
Mokwena is at wars and can not disguise it. He knows three points out-of-the-possible nine (points) from a star-studded club of Pirates’ caliber is far from pleasing the Sowetans. He will welcome the opponents with a win or nothing game plan. However, Pirates are still reeling from the shocking exit from the CAF competition.
Arrows are traveling to Orlando in a better state with six points notwithstanding the 5-0 pounding two weeks ago from their head coach’s [Steve Komphela] former club: Celtic.
Even Komphela’s hypnotic eloquent deliveries before the game will not starve off the electric atmosphere that Orlando stadium always serve. Pirates will go on an all-out win if not a rout. It will be interesting to see how Komphela divise Arrows’ tactics for the impending whirlwind against the Soweto giants in a desperate search for maximum points.
The ever buzzing Nelson Mandela Bay stadium will see Chippa United this evening go toe-to-toe with Polokwane City. Although Chippa have no win yet, their start to the league is less impressive. They are precariously sitting on two points from draws and one loss; no win so far. Polokwane City are pretty sat on six points from two wins and only lost once. Therefore, City are enjoying a fairly good run of form. Playing home is better but they [Chippa] face a tough encounter tonight.
Bidvest Wits will roll out the red carpet in Johannesburg for the Absa Premiership debutants, Stellenbosch, at Bidvest stadium. Wits are enjoying a good spell to this end with six points from two wins. Stellenbosch (with two points), however, are still adjusting to the rigors of premiership football.
In Harry Gwala stadium, Maritzburg United host Black Leopards this evening. Both teams started badly. Leopards lost two games and drew one. Whereas Maritzburg drew two and lost one game. These clubs are in a similar predicament. A loss for either side will not sit well with the owners.
All Absa Premiership games start at 7:30 p.m. besides one match in Polokwane: Baroka versus SuperSport.