Top 5 upcoming sporting events of the weekend


By Neo Poho

This weekend the Soweto giants will continue with their quest for the runners-up spot in the DSTV Premiership while a wounded Manchester United shifts its focus on the FA Cup semi-finals and the Currie Cup enters into round 7.

1. Pirates welcome Cape Town City at the Orlando Stadium

Orlando Pirates players during their training session at the Rand Stadium

After advancing to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals last week Saturday, Orlando Pirates will look to continue where they left off in DSTV Premiership on Saturday when they welcome Cape Town City at the Orlando Stadium.

With only five matches remaining in the league so far, Pirates are currently occupying the third spot on the log with 43 points, trailing second place SuperSport United by one point.

The Sea Robbers will know that a victory will put them in a commanding position as the league is fast approaching its closure.

After their 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on the 25th of February 2023, Pirates have not lost a match in all competitions as they have won all their previous six encounters.

A consistent form that head coach Jose Riveiro will want his charges to maintain however, it won't be easy as they face a Cape Town City side that is trying to cement its position in the top 8 of the league.

Eric Tinkler's men are currently occupying the fifth spot on the log and a victory for them over the Buccaneers will see the side from Cape Town stay rooted in the top five with 38 points.

The last time the two sides met, Cape Town City walked away victorious with a 2-1 victory at the Cape Town Stadium, kick-off on Saturday is at 15:00 o'clock.

2. Amakhosi travel to Polokwane for a date with Sekhukhune United

Kaizer Chiefs players during their training session at Naturena

Just like their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs will switch their focus back to the DSTV Premiership this weekend as they travel to the Peter Mokaba Stadium for a clash with Sekhukhune United.

Chiefs desperately need to win the encounter to keep their CAF Champions League aspirations alive after dropping points in the last DSTV Premiership match against Marumo Gallants.

Sitting fourth on the table with just 41 points, Chiefs are trailing SuperSport United by 3 points with only five matches remaining.

The Glamour Boys also head into the encounter unbeaten in six matches and they will want to maintain the current run of form with a victory that will help them keep up in the race for second position on the log.

Without the ever-consistent Sifiso Hlanti and Siyethemba Sithebe out for the Sekhukhune clash due to suspensions, coach Arthur Zwane will be forced to rotate his squad and improvise on certain tactics to accommodate the players that will be coming in for Hlanti and Sithebe.

With Amakhosi also looking to redeem themselves after losing to Sekhukhune 1-0 the last time the two sides played each other at the FNB Stadium, the encounter on Sunday surely promises to bring fireworks and have fans at the edge of their seats.

Kick-off at the Peter Mokaba stadium is at 15:00 o'clock.

3. FA Cup semi-finals are on the horizon 

Manchester United players celebrating a goal at Old Trafford

Manchester United have two days to recover from their humiliating 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League's quarter-final clash on Thursday night before hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

The 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla also saw United bow out of the competition much to the disappointment of head coach Erik Ten Hag.

With Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes returning to the matchday squad for Ten Hag's men, United will be without captain Harry Maguire due to suspension.

United advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after thrashing Fulham 3-1 on the 19th of March courtesy of a brace by Fernandes and a 77th-minute goal by Marcel Sabitzer.

Meanwhile, Brighton progressed to the last four of the competition after hammering league two outfit Grimsby Town FC 5-0 last month.

The last time United and Brighton met was in the English Premier League in August last year at Old Trafford, Brighton won that encounter 2-1.

Elsewhere, Manchester City will face Sheffield United in the first semi-final fixture of the competition at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

4. The Natal Sharks and the Free State Cheetahs kick-start round 7 of the Currie Cup

The Natal Sharks during their training session ahead of the Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs

After an impressive display last weekend against the Western Province, the Free State Cheetahs will look to continue where they left off and clinch another victory on Friday afternoon against the Natal Sharks at the Free State Stadium which will see them sit comfortably at the summit of the Currie Cup table.

The side from Free State will be boosted by the return of Siya Masuku who has been a marvel to watch in recent times, Masuku's return means that Reinardt Fortuin will move to centre while Tapiwa Mafura starts at fullback.

In another intriguing encounter on Friday, the Pumas will welcome the Western Province at the Mbombela Stadium, kick-off in that clash is at 16:30.

On Saturday the Blue Bulls will host the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld hoping to obtain the much-needed victory that will see them move out of the danger zone on the log.

The Blue Bulls managed to defeat the Natal Sharks last weekend away from home but face a wounded Golden Lions outfit that lost to the Griquas last week Sunday.

Round 7 of the Currie Cup concludes with the Griquas against the Griffons on Sunday afternoon at the Windhoek Draught Park.

5. The Indian Premier League continues with a couple of blockbuster matches 

The Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrating a wicket


The fourth weekend of April will have cricket fans across the world rooting for their favourite stars in the Indian Premier League.

On Friday the Chennai Super Kings will face off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in an encounter that will see a victory for the Super Kings moves to the summit of the table.

On Saturday the Lucknow Super Giants will host the Gujarat Titans while the Mumbai Indians will entertain the Punjab Kings.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders will both host the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings to conclude the IPL action on Sunday.

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