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Bafana stars focus on PSL

Johannesburg - After last week's disappointment in their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, most of the Bafana Bafana players will focus on Premiership club action this weekend.

Orlando Pirates take on a resurgent AmaZulu outfit, who are fresh off a 4-0 win over Ajax Cape Town, at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

"Personally, I have moved on from the (AFCON) disappointment and I am now focused on the job at hand, which is doing duty for my club," said Pirates and Bafana defender Siyabonga Sangweni.

Pirates, the defending champions, have not had an easy time in the league, having recently lost to Kaizer Chiefs and been held to a draw by Mamelodi Sundowns.

"Pirates haven't done well in previous league matches," Sangweni said.

"It's obviously a big concern, but we are not feeling any pressure yet because we know what we are capable of, but we also know AmaZulu won't be pushovers."

Pirates will still be without their star wing, Tlou Segolela, who has not fully recovered from a knee injury and he is expected to return only next week for the Telkom Knockout competition.

Golden Arrows take on Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit now under Turkish-German coach Muhsin Ertugral after recently firing German Ernst Middendorp.

Arrows, who beat Chiefs in their last outing, will target the expensively-assembled Brazilian outfit led by the league's leading goalscorer, Katlego Mphela.

Johan Neeskens' charges are erratic but have proved they are capable of finding the back of the net with their offensive-minded football.

"I'm well aware that all the teams in the PSL want to do well against Sundowns," said Neeskens.

"All I have to do is prepare my players mentally and physically.

"I'm not only expecting goals from the strikers on the pitch but the midfielders and defenders as well because that's what we practice on the training grounds."

In the afternoon match, Wits tackle Moroka Swallows at Bidvest Stadium.

The hosts will be without Chintu Kampamba after the Zambian defender broke his cheek bone in his country's successful Afcon qualifier last weekend.

"Chintu is due to have an operation on Friday and will be out for between four to six weeks," said Wits coach Roger de Sa.

"The team is fresh from a break, and had found a bit of rhythm beforehand, but Swallows won't be easy and have had a good start to their campaign."

Swallows coach Gordon Igesund heaped praise on the team spirit of the former Soweto giants, who had improved from last season where they just escaped relegation.

"I'm very happy with the spirit of the guys," said Igesund.

"We have had a decent start, and now have to focus on Wits who are very hard to break."

Also on Saturday, Platinum Stars take on Santos at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg.

On Sunday afternoon, Black Leopards host Kaizer Chiefs in Polokwane, with Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker keen to put behind him criticism of his poor form for both club and country.

There have been internal issues within Chiefs' camp in recent weeks, with coach Vladimir Vermezovic unhappy with his senior players who were accused of not taking enough responsibility.

This led to rumours that captain Jimmy Tau resigned after a dressing room tiff with the Serbian, following their 2-1 loss to Arrows two weeks ago.

"The past few results have not gone our way but now we have put that behind us and the coach has brought the spirit back into the team," said Parker.

"He has addressed us, in particular the senior players, about taking responsibility."

The Free State derby between Clinton Larsen's Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars, coached by Steve Khompela, will also take place on Sunday at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.

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