Polokwane City v Sekhukhune United

Sekhukhune United could pull five points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership with a win away to Polokwane City on Saturday.

Babina Noko are the surprise early leaders of the South African top-flight, ahead of perennial winners Mamelodi Sundowns in second place, and from one game less.

They were, however, held to a 1-1 draw with Chippa United last time out, as Rise and Shine in seventh place with 12 points, most recently went down 1-0 to Orbit College, to end a run of five games without defeat.

Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler says his team's good form is down to their never-say-die attitude.

"I think we have the will to win, and always want to find the will to win,” said Tinkler in the Star. "That’s irrespective of whether we are down (a man)—the players just want to win.”

Bradley Grobler has been the club's main man this season with six league goals in eight matches. But Tinkler credited his form to teamwork, adding: “The contribution from everyone—either in the starting lineup or from the bench—is impressive. Everyone wants to contribute to the success of the club."

Polokwane coach Phuti Mohafe, meanwhile, says his team have worked hard to fill the void left by the departure of Oswin Appollis to Orlando Pirates this season.

He said on iDiski Times: "I think so [we filled the void] because when you check the players who are playing on that position, they are giving us two dimensions and that is attack and defend.

"When we need them to defend, they do when we need them to attack, they do. So, with Appollis it was we banked more on him as an offensive player."

Golden Arrows v Orbit College

Golden Arrows will be hoping to build on their win over Mamelodi Sundowns with all three points against newly-promoted Orbit College this weekend.

Junior Dion scored the only goal of the game at the King Zwelithini Stadium to hand the Brazilians their first league defeat of the season and leave Arrows in 11th place on the Premiership standings with 10 points from eight games.

The Mswenko Boys find themselves one place but three points worse off than Arrows from their start to their debut top-flight season, with two wins, one draw and five losses - but come into game on the back of a hard-fought victory over Polokwane.

Manqoba Mngqithi remained humble despite beating his former team, saying: "I never have feeling of thinking I am better because I know this is still a very powerful team. I hear people saying this season is going to be something different. In my opinion this team is still very strong. It’s just a matter of time [before they click]."

Durban City v Magesi

Durban City could move as high as third place with a win at home to Magesi on Saturday.

Gavin Hunt's side started their season with two wins and two draws until facing league leaders Sekhukhune United and suffering a 2-0 loss. They went down by two goals against Siwelele and Mamelodi Sundowns but steadied the ship with a goalless draw with Stellenbosch last time out to sit in sixth place with 12 points from eight games.

Magesi have managed just one win this season, against Siwelele, but last lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Richards Bay, to sit in 13th place with six points.

Siwelele v Marumo Gallants

Siwelele's debut season in the South African top-flight hasn't quite gone to plan as they sit in last place with just four points from their opening eight matches.

Lehlohonolo Seema's team's only win came against Golden Arrows on the first week of the new season and they have since lost six and drawn just the one.

Gallants are marginally better off in 10th place with 10 points from their two wins, four draws and two defeats, having last drawn 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs as Siwelele went down 1-0 to Orlando Pirates.

Seema says he intends to turn around his team's form and called on fans to get behind the team, saying: "It hasn't been easy, and losing is tough. But the support from our fans keeps us going. On Saturday, I’m telling supporters to come in numbers – they'll witness our second win of the season. Our team is ready to fight, and after 90 minutes, we aim to be the winners."

Chippa United v Stellenbosch

Chippa United appear to be on the up under new head coach Luc Eymael, following his appointment in recent weeks. After picking up just one point from their opening five games, Eymael has secured four points from his four games in charge, beating Orbit College and drawing with Sekhukhune, either side of a 2-1 loss to Polokwane City, having begun his tenure with the Chilli Boys with a 3-0 reverse to Orlando Pirates.

They sit in 15th place with five points, while Stellies, who have had a woeful start to their campaign, occupy 14th place also with five points. Steve Barker's side have struggled to get going, and have managed just one win, over Marumo Gallants, and come into this tie on the back of a goalless draw with Durban City last time out.

Eymael hasn't been impressed with the standard of refereeing and spoke after the draw with Sekhukhune, saying on IOL: "When I see such decisions I get very surprised, we have to think better and maybe get Video Assistant Referee (VAR), it’s really necessary because it’s not the first time.

"But I am very proud of my boys. They fought a lot, and we stuck to the plan today. It was more defensive, it's not my style of football. We lost three points in the last second against Polokwane City, so I wanted to take one point or perhaps create a surprise here. I think we gave a good performance, but as for the two penalties, God will be the judge."

All the weekend's fixtures:

Saturday, 27 September 2025

Golden Arrows v Orbit College
Polokwane City v Sekhkhune United
Mamelodi Sundowns
Durban City v Magesi

Sunday, 28 September 2025

Siwelele v Marumo Gallants
Chippa United v Stellenbosch

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