Betway Premiership preview: Chippa set sights on Durban as Marumo Gallants plot AmaZulu downfall

Chilli Boys head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi led his side to a 1-0 win over newly promoted Orbit College in their first game of the new year.

The result extended Chippa's unbeaten run to three games after holding both Siwelele and Kaizer Chiefs to goalless draws before the AFCON break, but they remain in 15th place on the Betway Premiership standings, just one point better off than bottom-side Magesi.

Sinethemba Badela was snapped up by Durban City after his brief spell with Chippa at the beginning of the season, and he led his team to a 1-0 win in his first game in charge of City against Polokwane City in their last game.

They find themselves in sixth place on the standings, with 25 points, just seven behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Speaking after his recent win, Badela said in the Cape Argus: "I'm very proud of the players. I think they did very well.

"This win isn’t just based on today but is a result of the fantastic work they did last year. What they did when they were given a break, they came back in good shape without issues.

"We've also tried to push them and introduced a few things and you can see they’re responding."

Marumo Gallants boss Alexandre Lafitte wants his side to be more clinical in front of goal as they prepare to face AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership this weekend.

Lafitte was left frustrated as his side lost their first home game of the season at home, 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs last time out when they had more than enough chances to win the tie.

Gallants find themselves in 13th place with three wins, six draws and seven losses from their opening 16 games of the current campaign.

AmaZulu, under the guidance of Arthur Zwane are enjoying a productive season and are 12 points better off than Lafitte's charges in a healthy fourth place.

They started thenew year with a hard-fought 3-2 win over TS Galaxy on Sunday.

"It's a bit frustrating because we manage to create a lot of good situations to score, but the big difference between us and our opponents is some of their individual brilliance," Lafitte said after the Amakhosi match.

"Finishing is the problem, but we also find solutions and then we still concede goals. I know it’s difficult, but you need to have the same intensity."

"I think Saturday will offer us the opportunity for our new players to come into the side, as they needed a bit more time to be ready," he added.

Gallants recently signed Romaric Dognimin Ouattara, Emmanuel Mwiinde and Msindisi Kunene.

Zwane added in the Sowetan: "I'm not happy that we conceded [against TS Galaxy], I'm happy that it brought the best out of us so that we can come back. Now it will bring that belief into our players to say, 'Guys, we've got what it takes. Once we concede, we can still come back.

"As time goes on, you will see that discipline from the team."

Polokwane City are looking for a return to ways after losing 1-0 to Durban City last week.

Rise and Shine had ended 2025 with eight points from a possible 12 but slipped to eighth on the standings after going down to an early Bokang Mokwena goal at Chatsworth Stadium.

Opponents Orbit College are just above the relegation placed in 13th with 13 points, just one above Chippa in the relegation/promotion play-off places.

They have managed four wins this season and most recently lost 1-0 to Chippa at Olympia Park.

All Saturday's fixtures:

Chippa United v Durban City
Marumo Gallants v AmaZulu
Orlando Pirates v Magesi
Polokwane City v Orbit College