Matchweek 14 in the DStv Premiership surely delivered the action! Pro Philani reflects on the results and talking points.
Mamelodi Sundowns continued their fine form when they defeated stubborn birds 2-0 at the Loftus stadium in Pretoria, thanks to goals from Neo Maema and Themba Zwane.
Swallows looked solid at the back by frustrating Sundowns in the middle and forcing them to go wide.
Ernst Midderndorp’s side looked threatening from set-pieces but Ronwen Williams, in Sundowns’ goal looked equal to the task.
The best chance of the first half fell into the path of former Downs man Kwanda Mngonyama and the lanky defender’s header was cancelled by an equally great save by Williams.
Sundowns were not going to stop probing and poking holes in the Swallows’ defence as they were duly rewarded when a Khuliso Mudau cross found Maema in the box who took his chance well to open the scoring after the hour mark.
Swallows looked to have lost a bit of steam in the final 15 minutes as they were hardly getting to the ball.
A Swallows attack in search of an equaliser forced the defence to open up, and Sundowns capitalized in transition with Themba Zwane picking the ball deep in his own half driving it forward to link with Cassius Mailula who set the maestro up for the second.
Downs moved seven points clear at the top ahead of cross-town rivals SuperSport United who registered a 1-0 away win against Cape Town City, thanks to a late Bradley Grobler goal. Grobler grabbed his seventh of the season to move on level with Kaizer Chiefs marksman, Caleb Bineminyama.
𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝟴 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗥𝗢𝗪!
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) January 3, 2023
Goals from Neo Maema and Themba Zwane saw Mamelodi Sundowns beat a resilient Swallows side to make it eight wins in a row. https://t.co/9QFFuLfm8i pic.twitter.com/0AcGVFP1pC
Meanwhile, Bradley Grobler netted late as SuperSport United edged Cape Town City 1-0 to move to second on the DStv Premiership table at Cape Town Stadium yesterday.
The encounter seemed to be heading into a dull goalless draw when Grobler pounced to score the winner with a header after he connected from a Patrick Maswanganyi cross with eight minutes remaining.
Victory took Matsatsantsa a Pitori to second on the table with 27 points, four behind fellow Pretorians Mamelodi Sundowns.
SuperSport United have moved into second place after winning 7 of their last 9 #DstvPrem games.
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) December 30, 2022
𝐺𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑙. pic.twitter.com/KZGP6sOIDQ
KZN side, Royal AM played to a goalless draw against TS Galaxy at the Chatsworth stadium. AM striker Ruzaigh Gamaldien missed from a penalty spot whilst Galaxy protested at the end of the match to referee for failing to award them the same.
Sekhukhune United registered their first win under Branden Truter as they defeated Marumo Gallants 3-2 in the Limpopo derby.
Last season’s top scorer runner-up Victor Letsoalo grabbed himself a second-half brace while Ohizu got the opener for Babina Noko. Celimpilo Ngema and Sibusiso Sibeko got two for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa. Both sides remain in the bottom half of the log standings.
"If I say what I’m feeling, I think I’ll get a lot of punishment."
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) January 4, 2023
TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic was left fuming at referee Tshidiso Maruping for not giving his side a late penalty in the goalless draw with Royal AM on Tuesday night. https://t.co/puKaeymfdI pic.twitter.com/niOmoZrlDN
