Pro Philani looks back at this weekend’s football action as Chiefs dominate Pirates, Maritzburg beat Sundowns and the race for survival.
Chiefs do a league double on Bucs
Despite both clubs living in the shadow of Tshwane rivals, Sundowns, the Soweto derby is still the biggest match in the South African calendar. At the beginning of the current campaign, very few football analysts gave Kaizer Chiefs hope in the league but Stuart Baxter has given title contenders, Orlando Pirates, something to think about.
There is no way the issue at Pirates could be the playing personnel only. Experts in the game have pointed at the coaching duo of Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi, whom have appeared to be way below the levels required to make Pirates great again. Ncikazi, previously claimed that the Buccaneers were at the same level as Sundowns but has failed to show why and how. Pirates were beaten five times in a calendar year by Sundowns and have now been beaten twice in one season by Kaizer Chiefs. It’s obvious that the Sea Robbers need ideas to improve their tactical acumen and also stop playing third-best in the country.
This past weekend, Chiefs won the 137th Soweto derby 2-1 thanks to Reeve Frosler and Eric Mathoho who canceled Kwame Peprah’s strike that could’ve claimed at least a draw in Orlando.
Reeve Frosler with a contender for goal of the season? 👀 #SowetoDerby #Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem
— Amakhosi4LIVE (@amakhosi4live) March 5, 2022
pic.twitter.com/y0RGPk3Xcp
Sundowns suffered their second defeat
Across the road, Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their second defeat of the season in Pietermaritzburg against Maritzburg United. This was a match which drew all the attention towards referee Thando Ndzandzeka who made a dubious decision to give Maritzburg points. First, Alfred Ndengane climbed over Sphelele Mkhulise to score an equalizer and in the second half, Amadou Soukouna fooled Ndzandzeka to earn a penalty which he later converted to give Ernst Middendorp’s side first win since 2012.
Sundowns had all the chances to win the match but complacency was their enemy on the night. Themba Zwane had his 85th-minute penalty saved which gave Maritzburg more hope and confidence in the match. The win moved Maritzburg away from Baroka, TS Galaxy and Swallows but not completely out of danger.
🔴Maritzburg Downs Masandawana🔴
— The Insight Factor (@insightfactor) March 5, 2022
ICYMI- PSL log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Maritzburg United away from home. The boys from KZN secured a late winner through a penalty converted in the last minute of the game. Sundowns remains on 1st position. pic.twitter.com/lQV1XSGrj4
Spice People too hot for the birds
In the reverse tie, Mbulelo Wambi of Swallows scored a last-minute goal to give Swallows a 1-0 win over a Royal AM side which was still sorting itself off the field after purchasing Bloemfontein Celtic. Now in the second leg, it was Thwihli Thwahla’s turn to break the hearts in stoppage time when 38-year-old Elias Pelembe gave the Spice People maximum points in Chatsworth. Royal Andile Mpisane were down to 10-men in the second half when defender Mkhize was shown his marching orders by referee Victor Gomes for a serious foul play. Switch on the speakers, dance chairman Andile Mpisane, ingawe lento!!!
💫 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙇𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙇𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 💫
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) March 6, 2022
Royal AM do it again as Pelembe scores a cracker in the 95th minute to win it for his side against Swallows!
They're up to second in the #DStvPrem. pic.twitter.com/ZGMzwvAVnU
Usuthu suffers a defeat in Tshwane.
As Maritzburg United defeated a team from Tshwane, Supersport United from Tshwane was in a good mood as they added to coach Benni McCarthy’s misery in the league by winning 2-0. AmaZulu would only have themselves to blame as they missed a number of chances which would’ve earned a point or all three. Who can forget the fight between coach Kaitano Tembo and McCarthy in the first leg which left coach Benni losing his hair and “last bit of respect” he had for Tembo?
Tembo will have the last laugh as the win cemented his top 8 position.
⚽️🎥 Goals by Donn and Rayners saw Matsatsantsa get back to winning ways in the #DStvPrem with a 2-0 victory against AmaZulu FC
— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) March 6, 2022
Extended Highlights ⬇️https://t.co/RY9GxOxFKx#SpartansUnite pic.twitter.com/UYFkAwAsky
Player of the week
Elias Pelembe with his last minute strike makes us look forward to the Nedbank cup fixture between Swallows and Royal AM in Dobsonville.
RESULT
— FARPost_ZA (@FARPostZA) March 6, 2022
Royal AM 1-0 Swallows
Pelembe (90+5') ⚽#FARPost#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/aEmGv14HFe
