Here we look at the highs, the lows, the good and the not-so-good of this past weekend’s action in the PSL and CAF Champions League group stages.
Here we look at the highs, the lows, the good and the not-so-good of this past weekend’s action in the PSL and CAF Champions League group stages.
1. Troubled Amakhosi ‘Saile’ past Birds
Congolese striker Christian Saile spared Kaizer Chiefs’ blushes by scoring the decisive goal in the Soweto derby against Moroka Swallows in their DStv Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Sunday.
After Chiefs lost their previous Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates, they dearly wanted to avoid the ignominy of back-to-back derby defeats.
In the aftermath of the 1-0 triumph, allegations of racism at the club surfaced as well as allegations that club captain Itumeleng Khune had arrived at training under the influence of alcohol last week.
2. Sundowns dominate CAF encounter
Mamelodi Sundowns brushed aside Nouadhibou with contemptuous ease at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in their opening CAF Champions League group stage match on Sunday.
After 20 minutes, the Mauritanian visitors had leaked two goals, and the match was over as a contest. By that time, Nouadhibou players had hardly touched the ball.
Finesse and precision. What a spectacular free kick by Gaston! ⚽🌟#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/zzWax6tyE5
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 27, 2023
A particularly pleasing point for Sundowns was that several fringe players were included in the run-on XI but they still dominated and outclassed Nouadhibou who were unbeaten in their past nine matches.
3. Citizens move above Sundowns on PSL table
After not playing in the Premiership for the past six weeks, Sundowns have surrendered their No.1 position in the Premiership standings to Cape Town City.
City’s slender 1-0 win over Golden Arrows on Sunday meant they have won six consecutive league games. This is the first time in his coaching career that Eric Tinkler has won six league games in a row.
FULL TIME | City break club record with sixth consecutive league victory! 🏆
TOP OF THE TABLE WE GO 🔵🔥🔥🔥
🔰 0-1 💙 #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/0jiY5EFtuh
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) November 26, 2023
City will spend a few days at the top of the table for the first time since August 18, 2017; they have 25 points after 12 matches.
The undefeated Sundowns have 24 points after eight games. Sundowns are back in Premiership action tomorrow and are likely to regain the No.1 spot.
4. Stellies looking good on two fronts
Stellenbosch are also going great guns in the Premiership and have moved into seventh place.
They have also kept the club’s flag flying in the Carling Knockout and will be playing in the semi-finals at the weekend.
This has been a rewarding time for the coaches who had to part with several key players at the end of last season because of lucrative transfers.
On Sunday, Anicet Oura became the ninth Ivorian to score a league goal in PSL history. However, Oura is the first Ivorian to score in the league for Stellies, although Olivier Toure scored for them in the MTN8 this season. Also, at the forefront of Stellies’ rise is keeper Sage Stephens with three clean sheets in four games.
His penalty save at the weekend adds to a growing collection of top-drawer saves he’s made this season.
5. Africa will challenge Sekhukhune and SuperSport
CAF Confederations Cup competition is proving to be a tough nut to crack for South African teams. On Sunday, two-time champions (2020, 2022) RS Berkane played host to tournament debutants Sekhukhune and ran out 2-0 winners. Sekhukhune conceded a goal in each half to lose their opening group stage match.
Also on Sunday, Egyptian side Modern Future narrowly edged SuperSport United by a late Ghanam Mohamed strike to secure a vital win in Egypt in their opening group match.
Let’s hope the SA teams do better when they host group matches this weekend.
