Premiership returns with early battle of supremacy

As the MTN8 and the international break fade into the background, the Betway Premiership once again takes centre stage. With the season still in its infancy, the title race is beginning to take shape, and Tuesday’s fixtures offer another chance for teams to assert themselves and seize early momentum.

One of the standout clashes on Tuesday sees Kaizer Chiefs take on Sekhukhune United at the FNB Stadium (7.30pm kickoff). Both sides have emerged as early pace-setters in the Premiership. 

While they entered the campaign as competitive outfits, few would have expected them to be level on 13 points after five matches, making this clash an early test of their ambitions.

Their bright starts have not only turned heads but also signaled that they could be serious contenders as the season unfolds. Separated only by goal difference, their clash promises to be a potential early-season tiebreaker. 

Recent encounters suggest a tight contest could be on the cards. Last season, Chiefs collected four points from Sekhukhune, who under Eric Tinkler narrowly missed out on a top-three finish by just two points. 

Babina Noko, however, still finished 14 points ahead of Amakhosi — a statistic that underlined just how far Amakhosi had slipped after what proved to be a tough debut campaign for coach Nasreddine Nabi.

This season, though, both sides look transformed. The Glamour Boys appear more balanced and determined to banish the frustrations of consecutive ninth-place finishes, while Sekhukhune’s form suggests they are no longer content with being outsiders but challengers with serious ambitions of their own.

Much of their progress can be traced back to the off-season transfer window, where both clubs strengthened effectively. Chiefs made one of the boldest statements by bringing in Khanyisa Mayo on a season long loan from Algerian side CR Belouizdad. 

His arrival will boost their attacking options and highlighted their determination not only to improve domestically but also to compete with authority in the CAF Confederation Cup.

For Sekhukhune, the aim is equally ambitious. Having shown they can compete with the Premiership’s best, they now have their sights set on breaking into the top three and returning to continental competition.

Elsewhere in Tuesday’s action, Durban City will be aiming to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season away at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. Despite a promising start, they were undone by Tinkler’s men in their last outing by 2-0, and now face a tricky assignment against Siwelele FC at Chatsworth Stadium (7.30pm kick-off).

Siwelele burst out of the blocks at the start of the campaign but have since stalled, collecting just four points from their opening five matches. For Gavin Hunt’s Durban City, however, eight points from a possible 15 represents a steady return for a side whose primary target remains survival.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday night at Buffalo City Municipal Stadium (7.30pm kick-off), Chippa United will welcome Orbit College in a fixture that already carries weight at the bottom of the table. 

Both sides are rooted to the foot of the standings, making this clash vital if either hopes to avoid being cut adrift early in the season. While Chippa boast far more top-flight experience, they will not have things easy against a spirited Orbit side, who have shown no shortage of fight in their debut campaign.