Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s local football as Baroka got relegated to the GladAfrica Championship, Pirates fell at the final hurdle in the CAFCC and more!
Baroka relegated
Bakgakga ba ga Mphahlele, as Baroka are affectionately known, were relegated from the DStv Premiership following a defeat at Maritzburg United.
It was to be a bitter-sweet moment of revenge for coach Ernst Midderndorp as one would recall, it was Baroka that took the title at the hands of the Midderndorp-led Kaizer Chiefs side in the 2019/20 season. Although, I’m sure Middendorp would have taken no joy in condemning another side to relegation.
Baroka went to the match against Maritzburg without a win away from home and were hoping for the first of the season but Maritzburg were focused from the on-set and veteran defender Clayton Daniels ensured Baroka’s fate when he netted the opener and only goal in the 55th minute.
Baroka getting relegated will hurt club boss Khurushi Mphahlele after he invested heavily in their new state of the art village.
— Soccerzela (@soccerzela) May 22, 2022
Baroka also had some top sponsorship deals including fashion brand Bogart! pic.twitter.com/KE6Rwz0ZWW
Stellenbosch and CT City in running for CAF spots
Stellies defeated Cape Town City 1-0 in a fiercely contested Cape Derby. It was an emotional send-off for defender Zitha Kwinika, who had been named Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season at Stellies’ awards.
Midfielder Granwald Scott netted a winner in the 87th minute to ensure Stellenbosch round-off a great season and will have to wait for Royal AM and Pirates to confirm their final log position. In the 2020/21 season, Stellies finished third from bottom, with just 29 points, two points away from play-off spot.
This season, Stellenbosch earned 18 points more than last season and were the third best side away from home. Steve Barker will be pleased with the form of marksman Ashley Du Preez who also earned himself a Bafana call-up alongside defender Athenkosi Mcaba.
Du Preez who was criticized for missing chances found his scoring boots, he netted nine league goals. Both City and Stellenbosch will be hoping Pirates and Royal AM don’t earn all the available points as they want to bring CAF football to the Cape next season.
Stellenbosch are the Kings of Cape Town beating Cape Town City twice this season.#dstvprem @OfficialPSL pic.twitter.com/6lkd2iSqLj
— Lance Janari (@Lance_Janari) May 21, 2022
Swallows get a second chance
Swallows would contest the relegation/ promotional play-offs against Cape Town All Stars and the University of Pretoria following a 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
Swallows were a side faced with lots of off-the-field issues and coach Dylan Kerr had inherited a side at war with itself. Converted to a defender, Solomons netted both penalties to bring the Dube birds some hope before Bernard Parker broke Swallows’ hearts from a close-range freekick.
The draw also meant there will be no CAF football for last season’s CAFCL runners-up Kaizer Chiefs.
Dylan Kerr masterminds another final day escape in the #DStvPrem as Swallows FC draw 2-2 against Kaizer Chiefs and will head to the playoffs.@McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/sEy0aeGRZl
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) May 21, 2022
TS Galaxy beat Chippa United to survive relegation
TS Galaxy defeated Chippa United 1-0 in Gqeberha to save their top-flight status. The Rockets were at the bottom of the log for a large part of the season and were boosted by the signing of coach Sead Ramovic.
One would remember this is Ramovic’s first-ever coaching job in the professional ranks and the German didn’t disappoint, from a style of play perspective to the competitiveness of the side. TS Galaxy also suffered red cards in the season in consecutive matches and looked as though they’d be relegated.
A 13th spot finish would be a great achievement for chairman Sukazi and the entire technical team as they were campaigning for the first time in the elite league.
The end of an era for Kurt Lentjies in the #DStvPrem 🥺 pic.twitter.com/pZNDYSeiW8
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) May 21, 2022
Pirates were defeated 5-4 on penalties
Orlando Pirates were defeated 5-4 on penalties by RS Berkane of Morocco in CAFCC final in Nigeria.
It was a match Pirates shouldn’t have lost judging by the number of chances created and will only have themselves to blame. Berkane drew first blood in extra-time and Youssef Alfahli made no mistake from the spot. Thembinkosi Lorch would draw Pirates level just three minutes before the final whistle.
Penalties it was, as both sides were looking to win it following a dramatic extra-time action. Star midfielder, Lorch’s penalty was saved and it was Berkane’s Brahimi El Bahraoui who made no mistake and clinched the title.
What a performance! 💫
— TotalEnergies CAFCL - TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 21, 2022
🇿🇦 @orlandopirates' Thembinkosi Lorch definitely deserved the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award. 🔝@Football2Gether | #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/ATtzM5Pgdx
Hollywoodbets Super League
Sundowns Ladies put right their 2-0 loss to UWC with a 5-1 win against TUT at Wits Stadium, also reducing the gap to just one point from leaders JVW. TUT fought hard to come back to the match in the second half but Masandawana were focused on the business at hand and secured all three points. UWC and JVW played to a goalless draw as both sides failed to breach stubborn defences. Banyana star, Noxolo Cesane, was named player of the match after she tormented JVW defence on the wing.
📽️ HIGHLIGHTS of the Pretoria Derby between @SundownsLadies vs @tut_ladies which was held on the epic Super Sunday at Sturrock Park #HollywoodbetsSuperLeague #BekeLeBekeSL #HWBSL pic.twitter.com/K0Xsg8E0Lt
— Hollywoodbets Super League (@HollywoodbetsSL) May 23, 2022
