Rise & Shine Seek League Double Over Gallants
Polokwane City is set to face Marumo Gallants on Sunday afternoon at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium as they aim to halt their recent three-match losing streak.
After performing well earlier this season, the high-flying Rise and Shine faced challenges throughout February, most recently suffering a 3-1 setback against Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this week. This dip has seen them currently seated third on the Betway Premiership table. On the other hand, Marumo Gallants are struggling, positioned at 14th and just one point away from the PSL Relegation playoff zone.
Gallants have also seen their form deteriorate, losing their last three league fixtures, with only one victory in their past five matches—a narrow 1-0 win against AmaZulu during the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 on February 15. The struggles at Gallants led to significant changes within their technical staff; both head coach Dan Malesela and technical director Molefi Ntseki were released from their duties earlier this week. The club publicly acknowledged the challenging season, stating their need for fresh approaches.
The club remarked, "Marumo Gallants have released head coach Dan Malesela and Technical Director Molefi Ntseki following the club’s struggle to improve its league standing. Currently 14th on the log with just four wins from 17 matches, Gallants are looking for change. The club appreciates their contribution and wishes them well in their future endeavors."
Polokwane City's coach, Phuti Mohafe, reflected on their lackluster performance over the past few matches, citing misfortunes during February as influencing factors. "There are two months I hate; they hurt the team. The months of November and February tend to yield losses for us," Mohafe stated. "If you don't shoot at goal, you won't score."
Key players to watch for the upcoming clash include Ivorian attacker Junior Dion from Gallants, who is expected to leverage his recent scoring confidence against Polokwane's defence. Conversely, Oswin Appollis for Polokwane City is positioned as the creative force needed to steer his club back to winning ways.
Stellenbosch FC Draws with Richards Bay
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC's aspirations to climb the table slipped as they played out a 1-1 draw against Richards Bay FC on Friday evening. Despite fielding offensive power, they struggled to capitalize on opportunities. Thato Mohlamme scored early for Richards Bay, which set the tone for some tense moments on the pitch.
Stellenbosch was determined to gain ground, particularly following the impactful performance of their player, Ashley Cupido, who impressed with two goals against TS Galaxy prior. Coach Steve Barker made tactical changes at halftime, but they yielded no victory as both teams ended the match contemplating what could have been.
After falling behind early, Stellenbosch garnered momentum with tenacious offensive efforts but failed to convert, even missing close opportunities during the match. A moment of relief came when they earned a penalty, allowing Fawaaz Basadien to level the game. He confidently slotted home and salvaged a point for his team, leaving the fans cheering for more.
Pirates Return from Break Against City
Orlando Pirates also returns to the Betway Premiership fray after having their previous match abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. The Buccaneers are set to host Cape Town City. It's been nearly two weeks since their last league outing, where they faced Mamelodi Sundowns, yielding a disappointing 4-1 result.
Pirates' assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi expressed optimism about the break, viewing it as beneficial for player recovery, especially before this challenging matchup. He noted, "Our opponents are very difficult, we lost against them in Cape Town, but we are well prepared. We know who we are facing and we are prepared to get three points.”
Conversely, Cape Town City is eager to complete the league double against the Pirates after clinching victory earlier this season. They will arrive with renewed confidence, aiming to extract points from the match.
Sundowns Look for Revenge Against TS Galaxy
The weekend action also sees Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to host TS Galaxy. Sundowns, having recently beaten Marumo Gallants, is on the lookout for a strong performance to revenge their earlier loss to Galaxy.
Having built up momentum, Sundowns is expected to push aggressively from the outset, taking full advantage of their current form and aiming to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Taking the challenge seriously, they'll be focused on securing another important win as the league approaches its final stretch.
Fans can anticipate this weekend’s matchday excitement, with highly competitive matchups involving teams fighting for playoff positions and striving to avoid relegation. Mark the fixtures for Saturday—Chippa will face Sekhukhune, Pirates will take on Cape Town City, Sundowns will face TS Galaxy, and AmaZulu will battle it out with Magesi. Sunday brings another lineup: Marumo Gallants against Polokwane City and SuperSport taking on Golden Arrows.
Every match is pivotal as teams vie for every point on the table. Fans eagerly await to see which teams will rise and which will descend as the saga of the Betway Premiership continues to play out.