MagRush writer | September 14, 2019
The Absa Premiership returns this weekend after the 2-week FIFA international break.
Quote of the week
Rhulani Mokwena: Leadership in football is a microscopic reflection of society. You barely see young leaders in organisations. Recently, South Africa paid its last respects to former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe at 95… who 5 years Mugabe was still Zimbabwe president.
Saturday fixtures:
Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United
After a dummy [picture above] trophy-lifting drill at the training grounds, Orlando Pirates will be rolling out a genuine silverware game plan against Chippa United at Orlando stadium this afternoon in Soweto.
Anticipating the 15:00 kickoff with bated breath will be Rhulani Mokwena, the interim Pirates coach, who said on Friday that he is looking forward to win more games at home. Chippa are a tricky proposition. Their speed and possession control may wear out Pirates who, similarly, relish injecting pace and carrying the ball exceedingly well. Furthermore, Chippa will not meekly submit to the Sowetans for an easy whipping. The game will be a battle of the biblical “Goliath” versus “David” in Orlando.
Golden Arrows vs Amazulu
The KwaZulu-Natal derby sees Lamontville Golden Arrows fight it out with fierce rivals Amazulu at Sugar Ray Xulu stadium. The tussle to determine the PSL 1st-round local giants game starts at 15:00. Derbies command good crowds and spectacle. The KZNers are in for a “spring” football jamboree.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Polokwane City
Coach of the month Ernst Middendorp will be hoping to stay Chiefs (Amakhosi) at the apex of the log when his team continues where it left off before the FIFA week. Amakhosi welcome Polokwane City at FNB stadium at 18:00, Saturday evening. After four bone-dry seasons without silverware, they would not want the current likelihood prospects of winning something slip.
The Polokwane football club is also enjoying a fairly good run in the PSL. Like any optimistic team, it will be hoping to disrupt Chiefs’ early ascendency momentum at FNB (stadium), their backyard, Johannesburg.
SuperSport United vs Cape Town City
Mpumalanga is not a footballing province of lofty proportions by any stretch of imagination. However, whenever SuperSport take their guests eastwards, they usually dishout a championship-lifting treat. Benni McCarthy’s charges, Cape Town City, visit SuperSport in Mbombela for a Saturday night game. Mbombela stadium will be hosting the duo at 20:15 for the Absa Premiership contest.
Sunday fixtures:
Black Leopards vs Baroka
At Thohoyandou stadium Leopards will welcome archrivals Baroka at 15:00 on Sunday, September 15, 2019. Both clubs have a penchant for flair and creating more scoring opportunities during play. It will be interesting to see how many of the chances will be converted at the end of the prescribed 90 minutes.
Bloemfontein Celtic vs Stellenbosch
The ever boisterous Bloemfontein fans will cheer for their home team [Celtic] when it comes face-to-face with the struggling Stellenbosch at Dr Molemela stadium, Sunday afternoon: 15:00. Surely Stellenbosch will have a sniff of turning the corner against one of the PSL minnows.