AmaKhosi finding their feed under Baxter, Cape Town City survive Golden Arrows onslaught, South African sides fly flag high in DRC and more!
South African sides conquer DRC
Just a week before the anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, it was three South African clubs who have conquered the jungles of the DRC. In what was the shock of the preliminary rounds, AmaZulu eliminated giants TP Mazembe on away goals rule after their second-leg match ended 1-1 in Lubumbashi. The first leg of this encounter had ended 0-0 at the Moses Mabhida stadium. Going to Lubumbashi was always going to be difficult for Benni McCarthy’s side, but they look less intimidated by the environment and played like true champions. AmaZulu’s goal was scored after a rebound by Bongi Ntuli following a well-taken freekick by Keegan Buchanan. Usuthu will relish the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with continental giants like Al Ahly, Zamalek, Esperance.
Having secured a 2-2 draw away from home against Maniema Union, Sundowns had to get the job done at home. The Brazilians would go on to bag a 2-0 win at Loftus thanks to a great freekick by defender Lyle Lakay and a second-half tap in by red-hot Peter Shalulile.
Marumo Gallants eliminated AS Vita in the CAFCC, winning 3-2 on aggregate after the SA had won the first leg 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba stadium. The 2nd leg ended 1-1 with Gallants equalizing in the dying minutes of the match. Orlando Pirates also confirmed their place in the next round when they won their match 1-0 at home against Diables Noirs after drawing the first leg 0-0 away from home.
God of the Zungus….God of @AmaZuluFootball God of @mfanawasemlazi God of @bennimccarthy17 they never believed in us they called us names they said will never reach the group stages…Hloniphani(RESPECT) AmaZulu bafethu 🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/2hOnoykD8p
— Manzini Zungu (@ManziniZungu_) October 23, 2021
Cape Town City survive scare, TS Galaxy on the ropes and Swallows draw again
A seven-goal thriller at the DHL stadium in the Mother City saw Cape Town City almost squander a 4-0 lead against Lamontville Golden Arrows. The KZN side had a terrible first 30 minutes, conceding three times thanks to strikes from Fagrie Lakay, Thamsanqa Mkhize and Mduduzi Mdantsane before Craig Martin made it 4-0 in the 58th minute. Refusing to roll over, Arrows would go on to to fight back in the final 30 minutes of the second half with Pule Mmodi, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mqobeko Dlamini pulling goals back as the game ended 4-3. Lehlohonolo Seema would have felt his side ran out of time in the closing stages when they couldn’t find an equalizer.
The late capitulation will have Cape Town City worried as they prepare for MTN8 final against unstoppable Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on the 30th of October.
TS Galaxy suffered yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Maritzburg United. In what was a battle between two German tacticians, Ernst Middendorp will be far happier with the result than Saed Ramovic. Maritzburg United’s goal came as a result of an own goal by Bathusi Aubaas of Galaxy. The new Galaxy mentor is yet to celebrate a point since taking over, let alone a goal with the writing seemingly on the wall for the club.
Unsurprisingly, Chippa and Swallows played a goalless draw, the second stalemate in a row since coach Brandon Truter’s return from suspension.
An own goal from Bathusi Aubaas hands Maritzburg their third win in the #DStvPrem which sees them move inside the top eight. pic.twitter.com/B6Yi7AXpxG
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 23, 2021
AmaKhosi finding their feed under Baxter
Bafwethu, Amakhosi abuyile. Kaizer Chiefs have looked a different side following the international break. A 4-0 demolition job against Chippa United was followed up by an assured 2-1 win over high-flying SuperSport United.
Veteran striker Bernard Parker scored either side of a Njabulo Ngcobo own goal to ensure the Glamour Boys won two on the bounce for the first time this season. It was Chiefs’ third victory of the campaign which also moved them to 5th on the standings.
Bernard Parker nets his second of the match to restore Chiefs' lead against SuperSport United 🎯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 24, 2021
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/pl4Qz1Li0W
Personality of the week: Benni McCarthy
Massive congratulations have to go out to coach Benni and his charges. Following a slow start to the domestic campaign, he has guided his Usuthu to the Group Stages of the CAF Champions League against one of the giants of African football, TP Mazembe.
Take a look at the Pots for the Champions League below, with the draw rumoured to take place in December:
Pot 1:
Al Ahly 🇪🇬
Esperance 🇹🇳
Wydad Casablanca 🇲🇦
Raja Casablanca 🇲🇦
Pot 2:
Zamalek 🇪🇬
Sundowns 🇿🇦
Horoya 🇬🇳
Etoile du Sahel 🇹🇳
Pot 3:
Al Hilal 🇱🇾
CR Belouizad 🇩🇿
Petro de Luanda 🇦🇴
ES Setif 🇩🇿
Pot 4:
Al Merrikh 🇱🇾
Sagrada Esperanca 🇦🇴
Jwaneng Galaxy 🇧🇼
AmaZulu 🇿🇦
