Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s local football as Chiefs lost to Chippa United at Moses Mabhida, Jose Riveiro is desperate for a win and more!
A winless weekend for KZN teams
First, it was an entertaining KZN derby at King Zwelithini stadium in uMlaza between Maritzburg United and Richards Bay on Saturday afternoon, despite the game ending goalless.
Maritzburg had better chances on the day, but the John Maduka-led side couldn’t capitalize on the chances they created in the second half.
The point moved the Team of Choice from the bottom of the log to 14th, while Richards Bay closed the gap on log leaders, Sundowns, to equal points having with two games more.
🗣️ John Maduka. 🎙️ @MaritzburgUtd #sabcsport411 pic.twitter.com/xzY1xG4bSa
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) October 15, 2022
A late stoppage-time equaliser from captain Thabani Zuke helped Golden Arrows to salvage a point against Stellenbosch at the Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu.
Stellies took the lead in the 23rd minute of the first half through under-23 international Jayden Adams.
Arrows made two changes in the second stanza which changed the game’s complexion. The hosts started moving the ball quicker into dangerous areas as they pushed for an equalizer.
Zuke struck in the 96th minute after pouncing upon a loose ball and firing in. The draw moved Abafana Bes’thende to the top 8, above Royal AM on goal difference.
Another second half fight back from the boys saw us rescue a point tonight against Stellenbosch FC with a last minute goal from Thabani Zuke.https://t.co/JtoSoP7X4z#SthendeWay #GreenAndGold #VisitDurban #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/jVAZhtPNrW
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) October 14, 2022
AmaZulu went to Orlando with a new man in charge, Romain Folz. The new manager had hopes of ending a winless streak of six games. The last time AmaZulu won a match was a 3-2 win in Dobsonville, away to Swallows.
Folz was still the head coach at Marumo Gallants at the time. The match against Pirates was an opportunity for the side to change fortunes and Siphesihle Maduna made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.
Usuthu had a better first half and created clearer chances to go to the break with a comfortable lead, but Fohloza’s men fired blanks.
After numerous attempts, Orlando Pirates found an equalizer at the stroke of halftime through a Veli Mothwa own-goal.
It was Mothwa’s third own goal this season, but the Bafana Bafana international redeemed himself in the second half with some great saves.
The Buccaneers made attacking substitutions in the second period to win the match and were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute.
Again, Mothwa showed his class and denied Nkosinathi Sibisi. The draw kept AmaZulu 10th on the log, still searching for their first win in two months.
Guys... Is Veli Mothwa the best goalkeeper in the country? Serious question. #DStvPrem #erasmus #Pirates #AmaZulu pic.twitter.com/PpjvQ1EFb5
— Sahil Ebrahim 🇿🇦 (@sahil_e) October 14, 2022
Chiefs stunned by Chippa United
The result of the weekend was certainly Chippa United’s 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
The Chilli Boys were the underdogs coming to the game, and Technical Director-cum-head coach Morgan Mammila had a plan to silence the crowd.
Chiefs went up first in the first half through defender Siyabonga Ngezana in the 44th minute. It was in the second half when the Eastern Cape side turned up the intensity and played with purpose creating space and chances behind Chiefs’ defence.
Siphelele Luthuli equalized for United in the 54th minute before Edmilson Dove’s own goal gave the visitors the lead in the 89th minute.
AmaKhosi had three clear-cut chances in optional time to find an equaliser but wasn’t meant to be. First, it was Keegan Dolly, then Caleb Bimenyimana, then Khama Billiat.
Chiefs fans were left stunned as they had anticipated to go top of the log after 11 rounds of fixtures.
Siyabonga Ngezana fires Kaizer Chiefs into the lead with his first goal of the season 🟨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 15, 2022
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0m5GD pic.twitter.com/smOjzMIwHZ
CAF Confederations Cup
Royal AM progressed to the next qualifying round of the CAFCC after playing a 1-1 draw against Zesco United in Zambia.
The first leg had ended 0-0 in Durban, and Zesco had hoped to take advantage of the clean sheet away. The KZN side were down 1-0 in the first half. Ruzaigh Gamaldien equalized in the 56th minute to give AM a lifeline and an away goal advantage.
Zesco tried all the tricks in the book to find the winner, but the KZN side held on to the draw to progress to the final round of qualifiers.
Other results
Marumo Gallants 1-0 ASSM Elgeco Plus [Gallants won 4-1 on aggregate to progress to the next round of qualifiers].
Petro 1-0 Cape Town City [Petro won 4-0 on aggregate to qualify for CAFCL group stages.]
Sundowns 8:1 La Passe [Sundowns won 15-1 on aggregate to qualify for CAFCL group stages]
After they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by 🇿🇦 Royal AM, The Board of Zesco United have decided to fire Mumamba Numba and Noel Mwandila with immediate effect as coaches! 🚨🇿🇲#CAFCCwithMicky #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/8lmig3BJaD
— #CAFCLwithMicky ✪ (@MickyJnr__) October 17, 2022
