Pirates get the open door in Betway Premiership while Sundowns take the world stage
While Mamelodi Sundowns chase history against Asian champions Al Ahli at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 3pm in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup quarter-final, Orlando Pirates have a clean weekend to hunt the log.
A win on Sunday and the Buccaneers slice the gap at the top of the Betway Premiership from four points to one — with a game still in hand.
The Brazilians sit on 20 points from eight matches. Pirates have 16 from six, unbeaten, mean at the back, and suddenly staring at a title race that can tighten before the FIFA break.
After this weekend, the league pauses. When PSL games return on 10 October, the first picture is the MTN8 final: Sundowns versus Pirates. First the chance to bridge the gap. Then the bug collision.
There are however seven Premiership games this weekend:
Saturday
Richards Bay v Sekhukhune United — Princess Magogo Stadium, 3pm.
Polokwane City v AmaZulu — Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 5.30pm.
Kruger United v Stellenbosch — Mbombela Stadium, 8pm.
Sunday
Milford v Durban City — Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, 3pm.
Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates — Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 3pm.
Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs — Mbombela Stadium, 3pm.
TS Galaxy v Chippa United — Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, 5.30pm.
The headline match is in Rustenburg. Bottom-placed Marumo Gallants host the champions and believe they can spoil the party — they have done it before.
Pirates will not care about the narrative. Three points there and the table looks different by kick-off of the international break.
AmaZulu can press from third. Chiefs can keep the Soweto heat on. Everyone else is playing for breathing room before the pause.
Sundowns get Al Ahli, Ivan Toney and the global lights. Pirates get Gallants and a shot at one point off the summit. Same weekend. Two stages. One title race that just got louder early on.
