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Wits stand a chance to return top of ABSA Premiership

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Fourth placed Bidvest Wits have a chance to return to the top of the ABSA Premiership log this weekend when they visit AmaZulu in Durban.

The top three sides on the log, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City will not be in action this weekend.

The focus for the log topping Pirates and Sundowns will shift to CAF Champions League action this weekend.

Wits were top of the log for most part of the season, until they lost 3-2 at home to an in-form Cape Town City a week ago.

Their visit to a stubborn AmaZulu on Saturday evening will be one of six matches scheduled for this weekend.

Kaizer Chiefs will also want to cement their place in the top eight when they host bottom of the log Maritzburg United in Johannesburg.

Former Bafana Bafana Captain Steven Pienaar says: “It’s getting exciting a few months ago it was only Wits sitting on top and now you have Sundowns there as well sitting on top, Cape Town City is pushing, Pirates is still on it.”

“I don’t know, I don’t want to say Chiefs is still in it but a lot of Chiefs supporters think they can still win it but like I said the game has developed.”

In the CAF Champions League Sundowns will almost guarantee their place in the quarter-finals if they manage to beat Nigerian side Lobi Stars in a Group A encounter in Pretoria.

In Group B, third placed Pirates are faced with a must win match against FC Platinum of Zimbabwe.

Steven Pienaar says:”Obviously Sundowns is a step closer to qualifying, they actually in a good position. So with Pirates they still have to play the Tunisian side.”

“It’s always difficult going away and you have to go there make sure you get a point at least but a home game it’s important for them they have to pick up full points.”

Sundowns lost to Lobi Stars in Nigeria in the first leg, while Pirates only earned a point when they visited FC Platinum in Bulawayo.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says: “It’s okay we are not tired we have to win in the champions league on Saturday, it’s a big game for us. We need to qualify and if we seal it we will come back to the league. We still going to fight for the league remember.”

Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic says: “Now we are re-focusing towards CAF champions League, on Friday we are playing against Platinum. It is a must win match and then seven days after we are away in Conakry Guinea against Horoya where we are looking to find a passage to the quarter-finals.”

Sundowns who are still a game behind in the league, will visit Maritzburg United on Tuesday, before leaving for Morocco the following day to face Wydad Cassablanca in their final group match.

 

 

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