Pro Philani looks back at the weekend’s football action which saw Chiefs fall to defeat against Golden Arrows, Mzansi sides impress in CAF competition, Banyana score top win and more!
Joy for Pirates, despair for Chiefs and more from the DStv Premiership
Maritzburg United’s struggles continued on Friday when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Orlando Pirates in Soweto.
Man of the moment, Monnapule Saleng opened the scoring with his trademark run down the right to open up space for himself before curling it to the far post and giving the Buccaneers a 1-0 lead.
This was Saleng’s seventh goal of the season, his fourth in the league for the Sea Robbers. He also bagged his eighth Man of the Match award this season.
Maritzburg United had limited opportunities and missed the captain, Travis Graham, who often dictates things for the KZN side. Fadlu Davids was left proud of his charges despite the defeat.
Who else but Monnapule Saleng 🏴☠️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 17, 2023
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo wasn't missing out on the chance to do a backflip 😂
Pirates take the lead against Maritzburg. pic.twitter.com/jDzGX8P3XY
The win gave the suspended head coach Jose Riviero confidence boost ahead of the Soweto Derby next week Saturday.
Speaking of the Derby, Pirates rivals Kaizer Chiefs were humbled by KZN side Golden Arrows, as the Lamontville side ran out 3-2 winners in Polokwane.
It was Chiefs’ eighth defeat of the season, with fans seemingly run out of patience as evidenced by the boos after Arthur Zwane’s post-match interview.
Chiefs opened the scoring through a Sifiso Hlanti header in the seventh minute. Arrows came back into the game with main man Neverdie Makhubela scoring the equaliser.
In the second half, Mduduzi Shabalala restored Amakhosi’s lead but it was Man of the Match, Knox Mutizwa who netted the equalized before netting a winner 10 minutes before time.
The 3-2 win took of pressure off the co-coaches, Vilakazi and Khenyeza who have been struggling to win both home and away.
𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐗 𝐌𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐖𝐀 🎲 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐗 𝐌𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐖𝐀
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2023
KAIZER CHIEFS 2️⃣-3️⃣ GOLDEN ARROWS
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0DH5d pic.twitter.com/XxTtsofobn
Sekhukhune United registered yet another win this time around over newcomers Richards Bay FC. The 2-0 win means the Brandon Truter-led side have now collected 16 points since the World Cup, a record only bettered by Sundowns who have collected 27.
Royal AM and SuperSport cancelled each other out with a 1-1 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium as Kabelo Mahlasela netted for the hosts while evergreen Bradley Grobler scored for the Tshwane side.
AmaZulu’s head coach Romain Folz marked his new three-year contract with a 2-1 defeat at the Moses Mabhida Stadium against troubled TS Galaxy.
The final match of the weekend saw three red cards as Cape Town City defeated Swallows FC 2-0 in the Western Cape. Goals from Goedeman and Fielies eased pressure on coach Eric Tinkler. Keegan Allan and Bongani Sam got themselves into referees bad books while captain Thami Mkhize, in his 201st match got his marching orders too.
The City win moved Eric Tinkler’s men into the top eight.
Double red card in the #DStvPrem 🟥🟥 pic.twitter.com/P8028LtNCN
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2023
Gallants, Sundowns fly SA flag in CAF competitions
Mamelodi Sundowns outclassed Coton Sport 3-1 in Cameroon thanks to first-half goals from Cassius Mailula and Thapelo Morena.
Mailula’s brace took his tally to three goals in two group-stage games as he became the youngest scorer for Mamelodi Sundowns in the competition since Percy Tau scored against Enyimba in Nigeria.
Mailula has been a revelation for Sundowns this season and has risen to occasion in outstanding fashion for such a young player. Rulani Mokwena, meanwhile, stretched his unbeaten streak to 16 games.
Mokwena’s Sundowns has become one of the most feared teams in Africa and beyond. The Tshwane side will now prepare for back-to-back clashes against Al Ahly in Cairo and in Pretoria before returning to wrap up their domestic season where they have an unassailable lead atop the DStv Premiership Standings.
The passing in this Sundowns team goal is next level 😮💨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 17, 2023
A 3-1 victory over Coton Sport means it's back-to-back #TotalEnergiesCAFCL wins for Masandawana 🟨 pic.twitter.com/LJomzK4sJD
Marumo Gallants made it two out of two in the group stages of CAFCC when they defeated St Eloi Lupopo of Congo DR on Sunday evening.
Gallants opened the scoring through defender Mpho Mvelase and were quick to find a second one through in-form hitman Chavaviro.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa would wish to transfer this form to their domestic campaign where they’re languishing bottom of the log after 21 games.
Raymond Mdaka took over the reigns from Dan Malesela on a caretaker basis while the club still awaits Dylan Kerr’s papers to be sorted at home affairs.
Gallants will be preparing for back-to-back clashes against USMA from Algeria who are no strangers in the CAF competitions before they shift their focus to domestic action where they’re fighting for survival.
⚽️ 𝔾𝕆𝔸𝕃 ⚽️
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 19, 2023
Mpho Mvelase got an opener for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa!
Saint Eloi Lupopo 🇨🇩 0⃣➖1⃣ 🇿🇦 Marumo Gallants
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 1
📱 SABC+
🌐 https://t.co/LBeIFsbkH2#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/zoevrlkWG3
Banyana score impressive 3-0 win over Uzbekistan
Little is known about Uzbekistan within the South African football fraternity, but that didn’t stop them from being competitive on the field of play.
Banyana are amongst teams invited to play in Turkish Women’s International Cup in Turkey. Turkey was recently hit by a terrible earthquake which claimed many lives, including that of Ghanaian super star, Christian Atsu.
SAFA were heavily criticized by the general public for taking a team to Turkey, but a green light from FIFA gave the team the confidence to play the tournament.
Banyana beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in their opening match and ensured that their tournament started on a positive footing. Coach Desiree Ellis felt that this tournament will serve as a good opportunity to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Banyana’s next game will be on Tuesday night against Slovenia, who will no doubt provide a sterner Test than the Steppe nation.
Full-time:
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 18, 2023
🇿🇦3️⃣➖0️⃣🇺🇿
A convincing victory for Banyana Banyana against Uzbekistan!#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/wUuHIrExsl
