Johannesburg - All eyes will be on taking over the top spot in the Absa Premiership this weekend as league action takes centre stage following the international break.
With early pace-setters Mpumalanga Black Aces not in action, a host of teams will be aiming to leapfrog them at the summit.
The pick of the action will be in the Limpopo province where champions Kaizer Chiefs will do battle with SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).
That clash is one of seven to be played over the weekend, with the Aces not in action due to Orlando Pirates' involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup - the Buccaneers face Egyptian giants Zamalek, both of whom have already qualified for the semi-finals, in their final group phase clash on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi will be raring to hit their championship stride once more after an indifferent start to the season, which has seen them win just one and draw two of their opening three fixtures.
Steve Komphela's men, presently fourth on the table, have a string of injuries to contend with and the casualty list lengthened this week following news that Erick Mathoho hurt his shoulder on national duty.
Matsatsantsa are two places below Chiefs and they are boosted for the Polokwane clash by the return of David Mathebula from injury. The influential midfielder is looking forward to the clash.
“We beat them last season and we will try to do the same again this season,” he said. “I think they will go into the game thinking about the result last season and look forward to getting the points. “But this is our home game and we must try to get maximum points for our supporters.”
Earlier on Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming to make more headway on the table when they travel to Durban to face Lamontville Golden Arrows in Chatsworth (3pm kick-off).
Both sides have four points thus far and Abafana Bes'thende coach Serame Letsoaka wants to see improvement after they lost their last match to Platinum Stars.
“We need to be sharper in front of the goals, we need to lessen playing space for our opponents and e need more composure in the final third,” he said.
In another 3pm kick-off, Ernst Middendorp will begin the latest chapter in his South African football career by taking charge of Free State Stars for the first time in their clash against Chippa United at Goble Park.
It is the sixth Premiership club the German has coached and he has plenty to do to try and reverse the fortunes of the bottom-of-the-table club.
There are two matches later on Saturday, second-placed Ajax Cape Town welcome Polokwane City to the Cape Town Stadium, while winless Maritzburg United entertain former coach Clinton Larsen and his Bloemfontein Celtic side at Harry Gwala Stadium (both 8.15pm). Sunday sees two hames being played. It is the battle of the universities as University of Pretoria host Bidvest Wits at Tuks Stadium and Jomo Cosmos tackle Platinum Stars at Olen Park. Both games kick-off at 3pm.
African News Agency