AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane in the heart of the preparation for the Betway Premiership : SIGCINIWE
Image: Sigciniwe
It will be a case of KwaZulu Natal versus Tshwane when the Betway Premiership midweek actions take centre stage.
Golden Arrows will welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday at 7:30 pm kick-off, looking to become one of only three clubs to take points off the defending champions this season.
At the same time, across the country at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium, SuperSport United will take on the challenge of AmaZulu, with hopes of bouncing back from a shock defeat last time out.
The four clubs are currently involved in various individual battles ranging from league contention to CAF ambitions, as well as top eight qualifications.
The clash between Arrows and Sundowns will now be headlined by the return of coach Manqoba Mnqgithi to the Durban-based outfit.
Abafana Besthende announced the return of the 53-year-old on Monday, and he joins after months out of the picture, having been dismissed by The Brazilians early in December.
Having won the last trophy Arrows knows in the top flight, he is expected to make an impact and will begin his journey against his former employers.
11th-placed Arrows will feel desperate for the aid of the experienced mentor, especially against a team he knows all week, having spent 11 years at the Pretoria giants.
The last two clashes between these two clubs have seen Sundowns wipe the floor with Arrows by winning 4-0 and 5-0, respectively and in the form they're in, we might be in for another huge margin in Hammarsdale.
Currently at the top of the league standings, Sundowns have won 11 of their last 12 outings in all competitions. The only outlier is a shock loss to TS Galaxy two weeks ago, a result they went on to avenge a week later by thumping them 4-1.
In Polokwane, Usuthu will be out to claim a third successive win when they target a vulnerable Matsatsantsa.
Having beaten Magesi FC and Cape Town City in their last two matches, fifth-placed AmaZulu will hope to achieve a feat that has eluded them this season in three successive triumphs.
With the likes of Tshepang Moremi, Elmo Kambindu and Rowan Human hitting top form, coach Arthur Zwane will hope to keep his side’s CAF alive in this encounter.
Another KZN representative in Richards Bay will be seeking to stretch their decent form when Sekhukhune United visit the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Under coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane, the Natal Rich Boys appear to have found the formula of being hard to beat, having come back with a point away at Stellenbosch last week.
Still deep in the relegation scrap in 14th place, Richards Bay will hope to take a significant stride towards safety with a bold result against Babina Noko.