Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s local football action as 10-man Chiefs beat Richards Bay, Royal AM left it late to snatch a draw, the latest from the Hollywoodbets Super League and more!
10-man Chiefs sink Natal Rich Boyz
10-man Chiefs defeated newcomers Richards Bay 1-0 in a sold-out DStv Premiership affair at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening. Amakhosi were determined to move on from a humbling defeat they endured at the hands of Masandawana in the previous week and head coach Arthur Zwane made several changes to his side.
The most notable of these saw Branden Petersen come into the side in place of Bruce Bvuma while Njabulo Ngcobo replaced Siyabonga Ngezana and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo started ahead of Cole Alexander.
Richards Bay started the better of the two sides and looked more decisive in their approach play, not allowing themselves to be overawed by the legions of Chiefs fans in the stands.
Encouragingly for the league and local football, it was a second sold-out affair at the Moses Mabhida in a space of one week.
Amakhosi found themselves a man down in the 38th minute when midfielder Yusuf Maart was adjudged to have fouled attacker Sanele Barns, denying him clear goalscoring opportunity.
Richards Bay relentlessly pressed Chiefs who were trying to use patient build-up play to cover for their numerical disadvantage and were almost rewarded when Katleho Makateng missed with only the ‘keeper to beat.
In the second half, Chiefs were duly rewarded for their patience as midfielder Kgaugelo Sekgota was fouled inside the box by defender Sandile Mthethwa for a penalty. Dillon Solomons made no mistake to give Amakhosi the lead.
Richards Bay threw everything they had on Chiefs but the defence hung on giving the Glamour Boys all three points out in eThekwini.
Chiefs take the lead 🎯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 20, 2022
Dillan Solomons opens his account with a well-taken penalty.
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/seTq82ZKT7
Sundowns’ sluggish start to the season continues
Sekhukhune United fought back to salvage a point against Sundowns at the new Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Sundowns opened the scoring from a well-crafted move through striker Peter Shalulile. It was Shalulile’s third goal of the season, and Downs went to halftime in total control of the game.
Straight from Kickoff, Sekhukhune found an equaliser through captain Linda Mntambo after Sundowns captain Themba Zwane carelessly gave possession away in the centre circle. Sekhukhune United will celebrate this point more as it was their first time scoring and getting something against defending champions, Sundowns.
That pass from Zwane though 🥵
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 20, 2022
Sundowns go into the break with the lead against Sekhukhune and who else but Shalulile with the goal.
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/vNAfGiXXBJ
Usuthu triumph in Soweto
AmaZulu came back to Durban with their tails up after they defeated Swallows 3-2 in a thriller at the Dobsonville Stadium. It was a game that Swallows keeper, Thakisani Mbanjwa, will want to forget as quickly as possible as his two errors gave AmaZulu a huge advantage in the match.
First, it was a harmless cross which he fumbled and dropped into his own net, then missed judged the cross for defender Mbongeni Gumede to head in to hand AmaZulu the win.
The win move Usuthu to the summit of the table, with the eThekwini club making their intentions clear.
Gabadinho Mhango has rediscovered his scoring touch 🎯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 19, 2022
The Malawian makes it 1-0 to AmaZulu with his third consecutive goal in the #DStvPrem this season 👀
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/yLwJTGHWDB
Royal AM leave it late to snap losing run
A late Ricardo Nascimento equaliser saved Royal AM from a third league consecutive as they shared the spoils with Marumo Gallants at the Chatsworth stadium south of Durban.
Gallants scored early in the match through midfield dynamo Philip Ndlondlo. Lesvlin Stoffels equalised for Royal AM deep into stoppage time of the first half as the teams went into the break level.
Gallants came back strongly again in the second half and did well to neutralise Royal AM in the wide spaces. From a set-play, striker Serge Dion put Gallants ahead for the second time as they looked home and dry.
Royal AM kept the pressure on Gallants’ defence and were duly rewarded when veteran defender Ricardo Nascimento was found unmarked in the penalty box, tapping in to make it 2-2.
Ricardo Nascimento scores late in added time as Royal AM come from behind twice to secure a point against Marumo Gallants 🤝#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/ME2rFwhng3
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 21, 2022
Maduka gets first league win at Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United defeated Chippa United 2-1 in an entertaining fixture at the Harry Gwala stadium on Saturday evening. Hitman Friday Samu at the stroke of halftime equalized for Maritzburg after Nigerian striker Godspower Ighodaro had opened the scoring for Chippa United in the 34th minute.
It was all Maritzburg United in the second half as the home side put coach Daine Klate’s youngsters under pressure. Amadou Soukouna broke Klate’s heart in the stoppage time when he netted a winner to give Maduka his first win of the season.
The win will give Maritzburg confidence ahead of their derby match against Royal AM in Chatsworth on Wednesday evening.
The Harry Gwala Stadium erupted as Amadou Soukouna scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win for Maritzburg over Chippa. pic.twitter.com/7cRAC7JRIq
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 20, 2022
Massive win for JVW, Sundowns bag second victory in in four days in Hollywoodbets Super League
Defending Hollywoodbets Super League champions Sundowns Ladies returned to their domestic title defence from the COSAFA WCAFCL in Durban and collected six points in four days, defeating Golden Ladies 7-1 on Thursday and Durban Ladies 1-0 in Pretoria on Saturday. The two victories took Sundowns to third on the log, with three games in hand. They sit three points behind log leaders TUT.
JVW were the biggest scorers as they defeated Golden Ladies 8-0. JVW were boosted by the return of striker Gabriella Salgado who missed out of action and WAFCON due to injury. Golden Ladies will be candidates for relegation as they conceded 15 goals in one week, scoring 1 remaining bottom of the log and winless after 18 games.
TUT were held to a goalless draw at home by UWC, and Ma-Indies were also held to a goalless draw by First Touch. UJ and Celtic played to a 1-1 draw.
In the weekend’s other fixtures, Vasco da Gama also drew 1-1 against fellow struggling side Tsunami Queens while City Lads won 4-3 away at Thunderbirds.
After a great weekend of #HollywoodbetsSuperLeague
— Hollywoodbets Super League (@HollywoodbetsSL) August 22, 2022
Let's relive the memories through highlights.
👀The 8-0 thrashing of Golden Ladies by @JVWGirlsFootbal #BekeLeBekeSL#HWBSL pic.twitter.com/DKq1TcmyhC
