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REVIEWED: All 16 DStv Premiership teams rated on performances so far!

With the DSTV Premiership currently on a month-long break, Mlu Mdletshe takes a look at how each of the 16 clubs have fared in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.

With the DSTV Premiership currently on a month-long break, Mlu Mdletshe takes a look at how each of the 16 clubs have fared in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

1. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

RECENT FORM: W-W-W-W-W

With nine wins, one draw, and two defeats, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns have made a similar start to this season as they did in the previous campaign. Last season, however, they secured the MTN8 title after beating Cape Town City in the final. This time around they crashed out of the competition after Pirates handed them a 3-0 defeat in their semi-final second leg. Rhulani Mokwenawould have been happy that his men showed a full recovery after their 3-0 cup pasting, going on to demolish Maritzburg United 5-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium before beating Royal AM 3-0 in Chatsworth. With the heavy wins, Mokwena might have convinced his bosses that they made the right decision to appoint him as head coach. 

Rating: B+

There have been a couple of slips so far this season, and for a side that is expected to sweep all before them, missing out on the MTN8 was disappointed.

2. RICHARDS BAY FC

RECENT FORM: D-W-D-D-W

In their maiden season, the Natal Rich Boyz have completely looked the part of a DStv Premiership outfit, shattering all expectations that they would only be relegation fodder. They trail log leaders Sundowns by five points going into the World Cup break and look set to fend off any tests come the second half of the campaign. For Pitso Dlalda, minimising goals conceded is the key to a solid and stable team in the league, and his men have certainly understood that assignment. They head into the festive break as the second-best team behind leaders Sundowns and will certainly be looking forward to continuing writing their remarkable story when they host 14th-placed Swallows when the league gets back underway.

Rating: A+

They’ve been the surprise package of the season, punching way above their weight. Simply outstanding from the Natal Rich Boyz. 

3. SuperSport United

RECENT FORM: D-W-W-W-L

SuperSport certainly turned a corner when they reinstated Gavin Hunt. Unlike Kaitano Tembo, Hunt has galvanised the squad to a point where they are competing in every match. Having finished in eighth with 10 wins last season, six wins from 12 matches played so far this season is massive improvement for the club.

Rating: A

Another one of the season’s surprise packages, SuperSport can be pleased with their work so far this season and will go into the World Cup break feeling satisfied with their work thus far. 

4. KAIZER CHIEFS

RECENT FORM: W-D-L-W-W

The mighty Amakhosi sit fourth on the log, thanks to three deserved points collected from their biggest rivals Orlando Pirates in the latest edition of the Soweto Derby. Arthur Zwane’s starting 11, planning and execution in this game exhibited signs of lessons learnt from games against Chippa United, TS Galaxy and that 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in August. Having admitted to approaching the derby game differently than previous fixtures, Zwane showed the depth of his tactical awareness and adaptation, and with the supporters fully behind him, Mangethe will certainly be confident that he can deliver some silverware this season.

Rating: B – 

Beating Pirates certainly glossed over some of their issues. Dropping points against the likes of Chippa and TS Galaxy simply isn’t good enough for a team that wants to be competing on all fronts. 

5. ORLANDO PIRATES

RECENT FORM: L-W-D-D-L

Following their recent MTN8 triumph in Durban, the Buccaneers will start to believe that more silverware is on the cards for the club. Jose Riveiro will be expecting an improved performance from his side in the second half of the season. The players have certainly taken a liking to Riveiro’s style of football, with the likes of Monnapule Saleng, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Olisa Ndah amongst the players shining brightest for them this season. Still, with the MTN8 in the bag, Bucs will be hoping for more consistency in the league.

Rating: B

This rating could have been lower had it not been for their triumph in Durban. A bit more consistency in the second half of the season could really see Pirates challenge for the league. 

6. CHIPPA UNITED

RECENT FORM: D-L-W-W-W

Club administrator Morgan surprised football fans in the country when he took over as caretaker coach and later becoming the head coach. Mammila has gone on to record three wins, a draw and one loss in his first five matches so far this season, including a well-earned 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs. Having been criticised for his lack of coaching experience and abilities, Mammila will be determined to guide his team to a top eight finish come the second term.

Rating: B+

Not a bad showing for a side who were tipped to go down by many at the start of the season. They will be pleased for now but much of the season still remains. Can they keep climbing the table? Time will tell. 

7. AMAZULU

RECENT FORM: W-D-D-D-L

With 13 games played so far, AmaZulu find themselves in seventh position – the same place they finished last season under coach Truter. The Durban side’s target to claim at least one piece of silverware this season took a huge knock as they went down to Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last week. In a press conference, club captain Makhaula admitted that although they saw a chance for redemption in the Carling Black Label Cup (which they crashed out of). However, they have done considerably well, and Romain Folz will want to build on his first win in South Africa, after beating Stellenbosch 1-0 in their last league match. The 32-year-old had drawn eight and lost one of his previous league and cup games with Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu.

Rating: C

They’re still very much an upwardly mobile club, however, disappointment in the MTN8 final and the with fresh memories of a CAFCL campaign, supporters will be wanting more. 

8. GOLDEN ARROWS

RECENT FORM: W-L-L-D-D

Having finished the last campaign with the worst defence in the league (40 goals conceded), Abafana Bes’thende were well aware of where their problems lay ahead of the new season. However, their 15 goals conceded so far this season should not overshadow their decent start to the campaign. They trail their Durban neighbours AmaZulu by a single point and could go up to fourth should they beat TS Galaxy when the league resumes on Friday 30 December.

Rating: B

The Lamontville club have improved as the season has gone on and will look to secure a top-eight finish when things resume after the break. 

9. ROYAL AM

RECENT FORM: L-W-L-L-L

“Thwihli Thwahla” began the campaign well enough with two successive wins over Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United. But this was followed by an inconsistent run which saw them collect only ten points from as many matches in addition to being knocked out of the MTN8 by Orlando Pirates in Chatsworth. Off the pitch, MaMkhize has had to confront reports that former Striker Samir Nurkovic was subjected to several months without getting paid by the club while he was injured, and subsequently setting his legal team on AM to sort out the case with FIFA.

Rating: D

Off-field issues coupled with an underwhelming league campaign thus far has disappointed supporters of the KZN club. And rightfully so. A big second half of the season will be required to salvage some pride for this uber-talented squad. 

10. STELLENBOSCH

RECENT FORM: L-L-D-L-W

An inconsistency in performances and lack of game management has been the story of the season so far for Stellenbosch, who occupy 10th spot on the log. In their last league encounter, they handed Romain Folz his first-ever win as coach in South Africa, courtesy of magnificent team gaol scored by Rally Byalwa in the 31st minute. Steve Barker’s men spent the rest of the match searching for an equaliser which never came – with scoring chances also minimized by Usuthu’s solid defence at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Their leaky defence has been key to their defeats so far this season, and their number of goals conceded ranks them amongst the worst in the division.

Rating B –

Not a great start to the season, but the Western Cape outfit have been solid nonetheless. They’ve coped pretty well considering they lost Ashley du Preez to Chiefs in the transfer window. 

11. MARUMO GALLANTS

RECENT FORM: W-D-L-W-L

Gallants ended the first half of the campaign in an advanced position after defeating Cape Town City at Peter Mokaba Stadium a few weeks ago. Though they never took control of the game, a well-earned brace from Ranga Chivaviro was enough to secure a much-needed win for Dan Masalesa’s charges going into the World Cup break. Another positive for Bahlabani Ba Ntwa is the improving performance of youngster Katlego Otladisa, whose link-up play with striker Chivaviro is one to look out for this season. It wwill be interesting to see though, if Masalesa can convince the winger to stay at the club after the festive break, given the likes Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are sniffing around. 

Rating: B –

Not a bad showing at all. Sure, their league position could be a bit better, but they’ve also qualified for the Group Stages of the CAFCC. 

12. TS GALAXY

RECENT FORM: D-D-D-L-D

One of the lowest scoring teams in the league this season, Galaxy are level on goals scored (6) with Maritzburg United who are bottom of the log. Their only two victories so far have come against surprising opponents in reigning champions Sundowns and third placed Supersport United. But that was back in August, and the Rockets have failed to register a win ever since, recording only 12 points from 13 matches played. They will, however, be looking forward to the second half of the season following reports that a certain towering striker, Samir Nurkovic, could sign for them following his bitter departure from Royal AM – pending an agreement between club and player.

Rating: D – 

Not a great showing thus far from the goal-shy Rockets. Their survival could well hinge on whether or not they can acquire the services of Nurkovic whose goals could power them up the table. 

13. CAPE TOWN CITY

RECENT FORM: L-W-L-D-D

City have been struggling on the road of late, winning just one of their six away league encounters. This means Eric Tinkler’s men have equalled their number of games lost last season in just 12 matches so far – a poor return for a club who finished in second place. While football fans will know quite well that Tinkler is more than capable of turning things around at City, he has been the first to admit to being frustrated with their fixture programme.
They host Royal AM at home when the league resumes, and fans will be hoping that midfielder Thabo Nodada will continue imposing his best attributes in the middle of the park as they look to claw their way back up the table.

Rating: D –

Simply not good enough for a club that we’ve become associated with battling it out at the top of the standings. 

14. SWALLOWS

RECENT FORM: D-W-D-L-L

The Dobsonville-based Dube Birds have had a poor start to the season, culminating in a 1-1 stalemate to third-placed SuperSport United. Following a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Golden Arrows in September, the club took the bizarre direction when they sacked Dylan Kerr, who had managed to maintain their PSL status after navigating the relegation/promotion playoff successfully. After Kerr’s exit, Musa Nyatama (who is also registered as a player) was appointed as his successor on a temporary basis – recording one win, two draws and a single loss in his first four games in charge.

Rating: D –

Simply not good enough for one of Mzansi’s sleeping giants. Swallows fans will demand a better showing after the World Cup. 

15. SEKHUKHUNE

RECENT FORM: D-L-L-W-D

Before his sacking at Maritzburg United, John Maduka was tipped to be on his way to Sekhukhune United who also sacked Kaitano Tembo on the morning of Tuesday 1 November. Having won only two of their opening 12 matches, the club find themselves 15th on the table with 11 points. Similarly to the situation at SuperSport United, Babina Noko just haven’t been able to gel under Tembo, who has struggled to produce a favourable style of football and results as head coach.

Rating: D –

They could be staring down the relegation barrel if things don’t improve after the World Cup break. 

16. MARITZBURG UNITED

RECENT FORM: L-L-D-D-L

Rock-bottom and without a win since September, Maritzburg United seem destined for a relegation battle come the end of the campaign in May. Being in the middle of a recruitment process for a new coach will not help their course either, having relieved John Maduka (and his entire backroom staff) of his duties on 3 November. With reports pointing at Fadlu Davids as the front-runner for the job, the Team of Choice may not be down and out yet. Davids had an impressive spell with Maritzburg, and even led the team to the 2018 Nedbank Cup final before he joined Orlando Pirates as an assistant. Following his short-lived stint at Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, Davids is currently without a job and is pretty familiar with the team.

Rating: F

One of the most well-supported clubs in the division, Maritzburg owe their supporters more than endless relegation scraps. Perhaps Davids is the man to bring back the good times?

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