Pro Philani looks back at the weekend's Mzansi football action which saw Royal AM smash Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, Pirates cruise in Gqberha and more controversy in the GladAfrica Championship.
'Thwihli Thwahla!’ at FNB
In one of the more interesting DStv Premiership matches at the weekend, the old guard faced off against the up and comers. Royal Andile Mpisane, a side that only find themselves in the league after purchasing Bloemfontein Celtic’s status… and we all know why they had to purchase the status after their shenanigans during the play-offs. But all that history would not dampen the KZN side’s ambitions as they built their DStv Prem squad around Celtic’s technical team and squad.
A man who was heavily linked with Chiefs, Victor Letsoalo, netted a brace in spectacular fashion. Chiefs came into this match after losing 2-0 to champions Sundowns and were hoping their fortunes would change. Defender of the season, Njabulo Ngcobo, had a debut to forget after the first 2 goals were attributed to his improper body positioning and failure to deal with pressure. Ngcobo’s appearance in this match came after Kaizer Chiefs fans, as well as journalists, questioned his absence from the team whilst the senior citizens Mathoho and Cardoso have not performed well this term. Baxter heeded to the cries and gave Ngcobo and goalkeeper Petersen their league debuts for the club, debuts that the two will quickly want to forget.
Another new signing, Sibusiso Mabiliso, had an unfortunate deflection into his own net after his teammate Sifiso Hlanti’s freekick was also deflected by Royal AM wall to give Chiefs a lifeline in the early stages of the second half. At 3-1, it was either Chiefs go all out in search for a comeback or stop the goals from coming in. Chiefs opted to go for goals, but it was Royal AM who found the fourth goal in transition.
Chiefs’ woes continue and one wonders how Stuart Baxter intends to turn things around as they now have 1 win in 5 games, in all competitions.
Love them or hate them, the noisy KZN side look like they’re here to stay.
Royal AM serving football and elite content.😭😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/00ErDLTEeP
— OSKIDO (@Oscar_T_Hamese) September 18, 2021
Buccaneers cruise in Gqeberha
A professional performance by the Sea Robbers saw them beat Chippa 3-1 in Gqeberha. Chippa United’s winless run against Pirates has now stretches to twelve losses in row. After Phakamani Mahlambi opened the scoring, it looked as though the Eastern Cape’s losing streak against Pirates could be close to its end. Chippa looked to be in control and in the mood.
Pirates equalized through ‘sniper’ Tshegofatsho Mabasa. The floodgates opened in the second half as Ntuthuko Mabaso came from deep in midfield to give the Soweto Giants the lead. Olympian Goodman Mosele got his second goal of the season and Pirates’ third on the day as he rounded off a sublime team goal to secure all the points.
Listen to Mandla Ncikazi’s reaction to the game below:
🚨DSTV Premiership Reactions
— Front Runner (@FrunSports) September 20, 2021
⚽️ Chippa United 1-3 Orlando Pirates
🗣️ Mandla Ncikazi: If it's possible and there's no injuries we'd love to keep the same team. Pirates have been very unlucky with a lot of injuries
📹 Full Insert: https://t.co/AlwRAwODS1#DSTVPREMIERSHIP pic.twitter.com/3qIMNs76CL
Baroka claim bragging rights and Dube Birds'have wings clipped
Baroka claimed bragging rights in the first Limpopo derby featuring Sekhukhune United. Bafana international Evidence Makgopa continued his fine form in 2021 after scoring the only goal of the match just before the break. There was little to no drama in the match, but Baroka keeper Masuluke was subbed out in the first 30 minutes through injury for Elvis Chipezeze.
Meanwhile, Swallows FC were put to the sword by SuperSport United. Kaitano Tembo’s men looked different class in the second half. The Tshwane side played with more purpose and direction and had great intensity in their attack to pin The Birds back in their own half.
First, midfielder Jammie Webber scored the first from the penalty spot after Swallows defender Sibiya was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his own box. Exactly a minute later, Teboho Mokoena netted the second to put a smile Tembo’s face. Sibiya was at it again as he conceded the second penalty of the match. Striker Thamsanqa Gabuza made no mistake as he converted from the spot to give United their third goal and a chance to do his ‘bopha’ dance celebration.
13 - Supersport have lost none of the matches in which Thamsanqa Gabuza has scored (W9 D4 L0 in 13 games when he is on the scoresheet). Thamsanqa. #DSTVPrem pic.twitter.com/00k2uUW3Xa
— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) September 19, 2021
Champions remain unmatched
Mamelodi Sundowns have now gone 12 games without tasting a defeat following a comfortable win at Loftus against TS Galaxy. In the 12-match stretch, the champions have conceded just one goal, keeping eleven clean sheets. In the current campaign, Sundowns top the log table after four matches with 10 points and are yet to concede a goal.
Musa Lebusa returned to the team with a goal in the second half, after TS Galaxy keeper failed to gather Lyle Lakay’s freekick. Exactly a minute later, Peter Shalulile found himself one on one with a keeper to give Sundowns their second. Substitutes Hashim Domingo and Thabiso Kutumela combined to find the third.
TS Galaxy had only one shot on target in the entire match but will also raise own concerns after their goal was disallowed in the first half for a foul on keeper Denis Onyango. The Owen da Gama led side were unable to deal with Downs’ dominance and could not change their fate until the end.
Sundowns will next face an old friend in Orlando Pirates before their MTN8 semi-final clash against Durban side Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Masandawana hit the ground running in the second half to go 2-0 up against TS Galaxy 🔥
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 19, 2021
Peter Shalulile doubles Sundowns' lead with this clinical strike in their #DStvPrem encounter 🎯
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/BTdaS5utAd
GladAfrica Championship officiating in the spotlight
For yet another week, officials were the subject of controversy in the GladAfrica Championship. JDR and Jomo Cosmos are the two clubs to call out what they called poor officiating. Cosmos who lost 2-1 to Hungry Lions and are at the bottom of the log, and claimed the dirty work is mainly done in the Northern Cape province. For as long as NFD matches are not on television, there will always referee-related complaints from clubs.
JDR had their issues as well when they believe they were denied a clear penalty by referee Gomes. JDR suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Cape Town All Stars, who had a new man in charge in caretaker coach Sinethemba Badela. Badela took over from Roger de Sa who recently accepted a new role at the Egyptian FA to be assistant to coach Carlos Queiroz.
Platinum City Rovers continue to lead the log with 10 points from 4 matches, and yet to taste defeat.
Match officials are killing our football in the GladAfricaChampionship I feel sorry for the teams who still need to come here in Kimberly, today we scored 3 legitimate goals but the referre disallowed all of them. @SAFA_net @OfficialPSL @ThatoMoeng @JamesMayinga @LuckyMhlathe
— Jomo Cosmos Football Club (@Jomo_CosmosFC) September 19, 2021
Sundowns continue domiancne of Hollywoodbets Super League
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continue their dominance and remain top of the log after defeating TUT Ladies in a Tshwane derby. TUT Ladies announced new coach Simphiwe Dludlu on Friday, who also coaches SA u/17 National team and works as a TV pundit on SuperSport. The defending champions were too strong for her ladies as they settled the derby 4-2.
Hilda Xaba’s 79th-minute strike gave Richmond United all 3 points against Tsunami Queens in a tightly contested match. Veronica Tshem opened the scoring in the first half for the visitors, but the Richmond ladies had a different tactical plan in the second half. Anelisa Dyebi brought the scores level in the 51st minute, and it became clear that the home side would create another match-defining chance before the final whistle.
Durban Ladies defaulted to factory settings as they suffered yet another defeat, this time at the hands of First Touch FC. Ma-Indies Ladies and UJ FC played out to a 1-1 draw while Thunderbirds claimed a massive 2-1 win over Bloem Celtic.
It could never be a proper #TshwaneDerby without so much lit fireworks throughout the allotted 90 minutes of the game. Today was not an exception,especially because it was top of the Table clash.
— Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team (@SundownsLadies) September 18, 2021
The race continues!#SundownsLadies #TshwaneDerby pic.twitter.com/zJAc7lk8RS
