2023/24 DStv Premiership
Matchday 26
30 April - 2 May 2024
Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates will continue to duke it out for the final CAF Champions League berth, while Richards Bay and Cape Town Spurs fight to avoid automatic relegation.
Stellenbosch will look to firm their grip on second place in the
DStv Premiership when they host Golden Arrows at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday, May 1.
The Maroons thrashed Polokwane City 5-0 on April 27 to extend their unbeaten run in the league to an impressive 17 matches as they maintained the three-point gap to Orlando Pirates. Abafana Bes'thende are winless in their last four outings following a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City on April 28 which left them one point outside the top eight in 10th position.
Orlando Pirates have a chance to climb above Stellies for a couple of hours at least when they lock horns with Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, May 1.
The Buccaneers have enjoyed a resurgence this year, losing just one of their nine games since the mid-season break to emerge as the closest contenders to the Cape Winelands outfit for a top-two finish. Jose Riveiro's side ran out convincing 4-0 victors against Royal AM on April 28 to pull four points clear of Sekhukhune United in third spot courtesy of their third consecutive win.
The Citizens remain without a win in 2024 after they squandered the lead against Arrows to register their fourth draw in five matches. Eric Tinkler's side have dropped out of contention for CAF Champions League football as they trail the Maroons by 11 points in sixth place.
Riveiro was far from happy with the performance of his players in the rout of Thwihli Thwahla as he felt they weren't as dominant as in recent games.
"I'm not happy with our performance, especially in the first 45 minutes, we lost control of the game many times," the Spaniard told SuperSport TV.
"It was not a football game that we have been playing recently, but I think in the second half we found ourselves a little bit more in the last 30-35 minutes and we won the game."
SuperSport United will be seeking their first win of the calendar year when they travel to the Harry Gwala Stadium for a clash with Royal AM on Wednesday, April 28.
Matsatsantsa have also seen their CAF Champions League hopes fade away after picking up just six points out of a possible 27 in the second half of the season. A 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs on April 27 was their third defeat in four games and left Gavin Hunt's side 11 points adrift of Stellies in seventh spot.
Thwihli Thwahla have some work to do if they hope to finish in the top eight after the disappointing result against Pirates left them four points shy of Chiefs (8th) in 13th place.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Hunt expressed his frustration with the result against Amakhosi, but believes his young team will learn from these tough experiences to become better players.
"It's disappointing because I think we deserve more. Before they scored the first goal, we had some great opportunities but we didn't score and they scored from a big deflection," he said.
"As I've said before, every week we've got a young team and they are learning the hard way but they will certainly come out on the other side better.
"We've got a thin and young squad so you can have the hype at the beginning but will wear off eventually. We must keep showing faith in them and keep coaching them but physically, we're getting outmuscled in a lot of duels and that's a problem."
Meanwhile, Cape Town Spurs will look to build on only their fourth win of the season when they welcome Polokwane City to the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday, April 30.
The Urban Warriors arrested a four-match losing streak with a 1-0 triumph over fellow strugglers Richards Bay on April 26. Rock-bottom Spurs closed within five points of the Natal Rich Boyz, who find themselves six shy of Moroka Swallows (14th) in the relegation/promotion play-off place.
Rise And Shine have slipped to 12th in the standings after the mauling by Stellies, which stretched their winless streak to five games.
In the other fixtures taking place around the country, Kaizer Chiefs entertain league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium, Chippa United face Moroka Swallows at the Buffalo City Stadium and Richards Bay do battle with AmaZulu in a KZN derby at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.
DStv Premiership matchday 26 fixtures:
Tuesday, April 30
19h30: Cape Town Spurs v Polokwane City
19h30: Richards Bay v AmaZulu
Wednesday, May 1
15h00: Cape Town City v Orlando Pirates
15h00: Chippa United v Moroka Swallows
17h30: Stellenbosch v Golden Arrows
19h30: Royal AM v SuperSport United
Thursday, May 2
19h30: Kaizer Chiefs v Mamelodi Sundowns
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