Pro Philani looks back at the weekend’s football action as Sundowns march on in the CAFCL, Pirates inch ever-closer to continental qualification and more!
Sundowns Break CAFCL Quarter-Final Hoodoo
Loftus Versveld witnessed a Mamelodi Sundowns quarter-final victory for the first time since 2019. This, when the Brazilians defeated CR Belouizdad of Algeria 2-1 on Saturday afternoon with goals either side of half time from Themba Zwane and Thapelo Morena.
Sundowns have underlined their continental credentials and even received praise from Belouizdad’s coach for their play and organisation on the pitch.
The last time Sundowns advanced past quarter-finals, they eliminated Al Ahly by 5-1 Aggregate score, a scoreline which attracted the Egyptians to the services of the then-head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Belouizdad went ahead from a well-taken header from captain Sofiane Bouchard in the 24th minute before Sundowns captain Themba Zwane equalised at the stroke of halftime.
The Algerians were much better organized and did not open many spaces at Loftus like they did during the home fixture, with the home side reduced to passing around without threatening the keeper.
Four minutes into the second half utility player Thapelo Morena made it 2-1 for the Brazilians, scoring what would be goal number 35 of the CAFCL campaign and number 98 in all competitions after 45 matches.
The win meant Sundowns broke a three-year-long CAF Champions League quarter-final curse that has seen them fail to reach the semi-finals despite. Being one of the most expensive squads on the continent.
The 2016 champions will progress to the semi-finals, 6-2 on Aggregate, and will face an old foe in Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in a two-legged tie due to be played on the week of 12/13 May [first leg] and 19/20 May [second leg].
Job Done ✅ Semi-Finals here we come! 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 29, 2023
Mamelodi Sundowns (45' Zwane, 49' Morena) 2⃣(6)➖(2)1⃣ CR Belouizdad (24' Bouchar)#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/6Dbl4APjny
Pirates Reach Out And Touch CAFCL Football
The race for second spot on the DStv Premiership table keeps twisting and turning. Orlando Pirates have taken charge of the race following six successive wins in the league taking it eight successive wins in all competitions.
The Buccaneers went to Mbombela stadium in high spirits knowing that only a win can take them further up on the to the chace and striker Terrence Dvzukamanja made no mistake in the second minute of the game when he headed in from a corner to make it 1-0.
Kaizer Chiefs-bound defender Siphiwe Msimango equalized from a similar situation to make it 1-all for the Tim Sukasi Rockets in the 39th minute as both sides went to the break tied.
Pirates continued with their attacking play and winger Deon Hotto made it 2-1 at close range in the 58th minute. The Buccaneers could smell the points as they hung on to their lead until the end to move to 49 points, two clear of SuperSport United and five ahead of rivals Chiefs.
Terrence Dzvukamanja and headed goals go hand-in-hand 🤝
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 30, 2023
Pirates lead at the Mbombela Stadium ☠
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0DH5d pic.twitter.com/qNOK4EbcCA
AmaZulu Ease Relegation Fears as Royal AM And Golden Arrows Suffer Defeat
AmaZulu eased relegation worries as they defeated Sekhukhune United 2-0 at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.
Goals from Ethan Brooks and Ramahlwe Mphahlele in each half gave Usuthu the breathing room that they needed as the season draws near the end.
A moment of madness from Siphesihle Maduna in the 79th minute saw him push Kamohelo Mokotjo. The referee deemed it serious foul play and sent Maduna for an early shower putting Usuthu under pressure for the remainder of the game, but the KZN side held on to upset former coach, Brandon Truter.
Fellow KZN side Royal AM were defeated 2-1 at home by Cape Town City on a rainy Saturday evening. Siphesihle Msomi’s opening goal was cancelled in the second half by a brilliant Tahir Goedeman, who scored the equaliser and assisted striker Khanyisa Mayo for the winner to add more misery on MaMkhize’s side who are winless in three games.
Golden Arrows suffered their heaviest defeat this season when they were beaten 5-2 in the Winelands by Stellenbosch FC. Arrows who have now conceded 40 goals this season, have a mountain to climb if they are to reach to the top eight.
This is big goal for Ethan Brooks and AmaZulu 🛡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 29, 2023
It’s his first-ever goal in the #DStvPrem and it lifts Usuthu away from the relegation zone.
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/5zLteCZqk0
