The race continues to intensify as teams fight to climb the log table as we approach the second half of the season.
Will Kaizer Chiefs return to winning ways following their disappointing loss to Cape Town City? Can Magesi shock AmaZulu and move away from the bottom of the log? These questions will be answered after the conclusion of the round of 13 matches of the Betway Premiership.
Here are the preview and predictions of the mouth-watering clashes that will take centre stage this weekend:
Saturday, January 11
22/10 Magesi FC | Draw 2/1 | AmaZulu 12/10
Things took a turn for the worst for the newly-promoted Magesi FC following their Carling Knockout triumph. They have gone on a five-match losing run which includes four straight losses and a draw.
The string of bad results saw Clinton Larsen resigning as head coach of the club he got promoted from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and led to lifting their first trophy in the top-flight.
Larsen was replaced by veteran coach Owen Da Gama who began his tenure with a goalless draw against TS Galaxy. Da Gama will be looking to build from the draw in a bid to move from the bottom of the log and avoid relegation.
Usuthu on the other hand, got back to winning ways after falling short to ten-man Mamelodi Sundowns. They defeated Cape Town City 1-0 but failed to build from that when they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by their provincial rivals Golden Arrows on Saturday, they went on to suffer a 2-0 loss at home against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.
This will be the first meeting between these two sides. Back AmaZulu to win.
2/1 Marumo Gallants | Draw 2/1 | Cape Town City 13/10
Siwelele sa Marumo recently broke a three-match losing run by holding KwaZulu-Natal side Richards Bay FC to a goalless draw on Saturday. They have had an unpleasant start to their 2024-25 campaign having won three matches, played two draws and lost seven games. Currently 13th on the log with 11 points, Dan Malesela is under pressure to collect points and clear off the drop zone.
Muhsin Ertugral’s tenure at the helm of the Citizens began with an emphatic victory against Kaizer Chiefs which was followed by another hard-fought win over title contenders Orlando Pirates on Wednesday moving the Citizens to the sixth position on the log.
The last meetings between Marumo and City produced a four-goal thriller with either side refusing to go down and ending in a 2-2 draw. However, I feel that City has a bit of an advantage this time around and will return to Cape Town with all three points. Straight win Cape Town City.
Sunday, January 12
8/10 Kaizer Chiefs | Draw 22/10 | Golden Arrows 33/10
The struggles of Kaizer Chiefs continued when they experienced their fourth league loss on Sunday after losing 1-0 to Cape Town City. Amakhosi dominated the game but their poor decision-making in the final third resulted in them not finding the back of the net.
Central defensive midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa who was originally reported to be not in the plans of Nasreddine Nabi during the start of the season is proving to be a valuable asset on the field together with youngster Mduduzi Shabalala.
Nabi’s cry for new players and squad reinforcement continued after the loss. “It’s true that the market is open, and every club is trying to improve their squad, our club (Chiefs) is also working very hard to try and look at different profiles. It’s not easy because it’s January, but everyone is working very hard.” He said.
Amakhosi managed to salvage a 2-1 win against Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday and should use that momentum to overcome the visitors on Sunday.
Abafana Bes’thende are on the same boat with their Sunday’s opponents, their mixed results saw head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza departing the club and joining Eastern Cape side Chippa United.
Arrows are eighth on the log with 15 points, they managed to avoid defeats in their recent two matches which ended in draws against solid teams including AmaZulu and Polokwane City. A win in this match may push them to the top five on the log standings. Chiefs will edge Arrows.
2/1 Sekhukhune United | Draw 2/1 | SuperSport United 13/10
Babina Noko is coming to this match at the back of a resounding 2-0 win away at AmaZulu which followed a 1-1 draw against their Limpopo rivals Polokwane in a highly contested match.
Lehlohonolo Seema’s side recently strengthened their squad with Orlando Pirates’ Katlego Otladisa and Kagiso Mayinga. Otladisa was impressive in his debut against Polokwane City and will be instrumental in this clash.
The return of veteran striker Bradley Grobler has solved the goal-scoring dilemma for Gavin Hunt’s side. Grobler and Tashreeq Morris have been netting crucial goals for United.
The Spartans are currently sixth on the log with 16 points, one point behind their Sunday rivals. Bet on this match to end in a draw.