2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 5
25-27 October 2024
Orlando Pirates will be looking to maintain their perfect start of the season, while TS Galaxy and AmZulu go in search of their first points in the Betway Premiership.
Pirates host AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium on Friday, October 25 just three days after beating SuperSport United 2-0 to go top of the table.
The Buccaneers have made it four wins from four in the league as they bounced back from the disappointment of losing 3-2 to Magesi in the opening round of the Carling Knockout on October 19.
Sea Robbers head coach Jose Riveiro insisted he was not worried that they only hit the target three times against Matsatsantsa after seeing his players create many more chances in the game.
“I am fine with a 2-0 win in every game… it’s more than alright. I am not concerned [that we only recorded three shots on target against SuperSport],” Riveiro said.
“I think today, the guys played good football. We created chances. Everybody would be like to be more accurate in the last metres but it’s a 2-0 game, so it’s a good advantage.”
Usuthu remain at the foot of the table after a 1-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants on September 29 left them without a single point following three consecutive losses.
Sekhukhune United will attempt to keep the pressure on the frontrunners when they head to the Harry Gwala Stadium for a clash with Royal AM on Saturday, October 26.
Babina Noko continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows on September 28 which lifted them up to third in the standings on seven points ahead of Chippa United (4th) and Polokwane City (5th) on goal difference.
Thwihli Thwahla, who face Mamelodi Sundowns on October 23, picked up four points from their opening four fixtures following draws against Cape Town City (1-1), SuperSport (0-0), Richards Bay (0-0) and Magesi (0-0).
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs will target a return to winning ways when they take on SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, October 26.
The Glamour Boys’ 100 per cent record under Nasreddine Nabi came to an end after they were beaten 2-1 by the Brazilians on September 28 and they are six points adrift of the summit in sixth spot with a game in hand on Bucs.
Amakhosi announced the appointment of Cedric Kaze as Nabi’s assistant last week and the Tunisian has welcomed the reunion with his “brother” who was part of his coaching staff at Young Africans.
“This is my brother. Cedric Kaze is my second assistant; we worked together at Young Africans,” Nabi said. “We won too many trophies with Young Africans. Very good moments and sometimes bad moments. He is a good guy with a big experience and too many skills.
“I thank Mr Kaizer [Motaung] Jr and Mr Bobby [Motaung] for giving me the opportunity for Kaze to come. I am very happy. He is a very good guy, a gentleman, and a very good coach. I am very happy about that.”
Matsatsantsa are hoping to turn the corner after back-to-back losses against Cape Town City (1-0) and Pirates (2-0) saw them drop down to 13th position on four points.
Another fixture to keep an eye out for will be the visit of Mamelodi Sundowns to the other home of Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, October 27.
Bafana ba Style trail Pirates by three points in second place ahead of their meeting with Royal AM in midweek, having won their opening three games of the season to remain the only other team still sporting a perfect record in the top flight.
Rise And Shine kicked off proceedings with successive wins against AmaZulu (2-1) and Magesi (2-0) before going down 3-0 to the Buccaneers. They sit fifth in the standings after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on September 29.
Betway Premiership matchday 5 fixtures:
- Friday, October 25
- 19h30: Orlando Pirates v AmaZulu
- Saturday, October 26
- 15h00: Richards Bay v Stellenbosch
- 15h00: Marumo Gallants v TS Galaxy
- 15h00: Royal AM v Sekhukhune United
- 17h30: SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs
- 20h00: Chippa United v Golden Arrows
- Sunday, October 27
- 15h00: Polokwane City v Mamelodi Sundowns
- 15h00: Cape Town City v Magesi