Following an eventful international break, the DStv Premiership returns this weekend, beginning with Moroka Swallows v Richards Bay, who will do battle at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm (SA, GMT+2).
The Dube Birds head into their next match on the back of two consecutive victories in the league, as coach Steve Komphela begins to progress in new surroundings.
Moroka Swallows currently occupy sixth place on the table after four matches played, with their latest result being a 3-1 home victory over Cape Town Spurs.
The previous DStv Premiership encounter between the teams saw Swallows emerge victorious in a 1-0 victory at home last season, with Kagiso Malinga getting his name on the scoresheet in the 81st minute.
Speaking during the international break, Komphela touched on coaching some of the best players in the league, while reserving special praise for midfielder Andile Jali.
"If you're dealing with a genius, at some point of their life, if the task is too simple, they start to look for something else – a distraction, then we call them delinquents," defended Komphela.
"No, they are geniuses. AJ [Jali] has an amazing personality, you can't question that. Well, he might have issues with injuries or maybe getting into top shape, and the guy is no more 22 or 24, to be honest.
"But he still has the effect, he still has the energy, and he sees the game. He's a great influence in the dressing room."
In contrast to how Richards Bay commenced the 2022/23 league season, in which they held a high position on the log during the opening exchanges of the campaign, the Natal Rich Boyz currently occupy 15th spot after five matches played.
Yet to record a win in the DStv Premiership, Richards Bay suffered losses against SuperSport United, Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns, including stalemates with AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United.
In the head-to-head count, Swallows and Richards Bay recorded a win apiece on home soil in the DStv Premiership last season.
That said, Kaitano Tembo became a major talking point on social media during the international break when he touched on the Natal Rich Boyz financial troubles.
“Unfortunately we've got to do with what we have at the moment. I think what we need is a lot of coaching to try and improve the players that we have to get them to a better level,” Tembo said.
We don't have the finances to go out there and try and get players. We just have to work with the players that we have, and make sure that we are positive. We believe in them, and try and get the best out of them, then we'll get the results, hopefully.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Moroka Swallows
Gabadinho Mhango: After being excluded from the latest Malawian squad, Mhango had some time to buckle down with the Soweto club. Komphela will no doubt rely on the versatile attacker to produce the goods in the final third of the pitch.
Richards Bay
Somali Ntsundwana: Much like that of Mhango, Ntsundwana has the ability to play in a number of positions in attack. The former AmaZulu man has been a constant feature for Richards Bay this season and will be a player that the Dube Birds need to keep a keen eye on throughout the 90 minutes.
