NEWS
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The ABSA Prem currently has one of the world's best title races this season. Who has the best chance of winning?
Did you know who else besides Liverpool and Manchester City, are taking the league title race to the final match of the season? That’s right, Pirates and Downs, we took some time to reflect on the closing moments of perhaps the best ever Absa Premiership season.
Hlompho Kekana celebrates with his players during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town at Loftus Stadium on April 02, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa.
(April 1, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
Where are we now?
One would argue that a league whereby it takes the final day of the season to decide the league champions speaks of the high level of competitiveness in that league. Such is the case with the South African Absa Premier League. The 2018/2019 Absa Premiership season has been nothing short of excitement and thrills. With 29 games played and one game remaining, it is still unclear who will walk away as the champions of the 2018/2019 season. Similar to the English Premier League where Liverpool and Manchester City are battling it out for the title, it is still unclear on who will win the Absa premiership title between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.
League leaders Orlando Pirates' Absa Premiership title run was dealt a major blow when they drew 2-2 with Cape Town City on match-day 29 of the season, failing to take full advantage of Mamelodi Sundowns' commitments in the CAF Champions League. The result moved the Buccaneers only a point ahead of second placed Sundowns who have a game in hand over their title rivals, heading into the final week of the 2018-19 season. As things stand, Pirates are on 54 points from 29 league matches, and while they will have to win their final game of the season to stand any realistic chance of winning the title, Sundowns could possibly spoil the party knowing that winning both their remaining two games will see them retain the title.
For Bafana BaStyle, the league title is now a priority particularly after bowing out of the CAF Champions League at the hands of a 2-1 aggregate loss to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals. Taking this into consideration, Sundowns know that they will have to salvage their season by doing all they can to defend their PSL crown.
irates assitant coach Graig Rosslee celebrates with Lucky Lekgwathi after winning the Absa Premiership Final match between Orlando Pirates and the Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on May 21, 2011 in Soweto, South Africa.
(May 20, 2011 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
Just like the two English Premier League giants
Similar to Liverpool, Pirates boast of a rich winning history, however, the club has not won the league since the 2011/2012 season. As such, winning the league title would bring back the glory days at Amabhakabhaka and should be a confidence booster for the club. On the other hand, Sundowns’ recent exit from the CAF champions league means the Absa premiership title is the team’s last shot at any hopes of salvaging some silverware this season. Thus, Masandawana would want to defend the title that they have won three times in the last five seasons. Sundowns arguably have the best squad and the best coach in South Africa if not across all the continent just like Man City, and their financial muscles have contributed immensely in ensuring that they challenge for trophies on all fronts.
Much like Manchester City, Sundowns’ season has been playing catch up to Pirates for the better part of the season due to commitments in the CAF Champions League. Playing in Africa, comprising of long distance travels for the club has evidently slowed down Sundowns’ momentum in the league. However, being a team filled with depth and comprising of quality players, the Brazilians have been able to grind out results in the toughest of situations, enough to keep them in the title race. Now, with the loss to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League semi-final signalling the end of their hopes for a second star, Masandawana have shifted focus back to the domestic league title where they stand a good chance of grabbing some elusive silverware.
Hlompho Kekana of Sundowns and Thandani Ntshumayelo of Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on May 11, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa.
(May 10, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
The top in-form players
With Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic’s troops chasing their first PSL title in seven years, a number of players have been instrumental in the Bucs’ impressive season. One of the players at the heart of the Buccaneers’ title surge has arguably been Thembinkhosi Lorch. The 25-year old has dished out a series of stellar performances in the 2018/2019 season. To his reward, Lorch has managed to bag six goals and five assists in the league. Worth noting, Lorch’s 11 goal contributions account for over a quarter of Pirates' 39 goals this season showing how instrumental he has been for the ‘Sea Robbers’. Apart from Lorch, the likes of Xola Mlambo and Vincent Pule have also chipped in with big performances for the Sea Robbers during the course of the season.
On the other hand, players like Hlompho Kekana and Lebohang Maboe have been equally crucial for Mamelodi Sundowns, considering the large amount of games the team has had to play due to their participation in the CAF Champions league. Hlompho Kekana has been a model of consistency this campaign for Sundowns. He has remarkably missed just one league game‚ and the only time he came off the bench to play was in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 defeat to Chippa United. Kekana has started 27 league games‚ three in the domestic cups and 17 in the Champions League‚ a measure of his incredible stamina and ability to stay injury-free. As the team’s captain, Kekana’s leadership at the centre of the field have helped Sundowns grind out results even when playing a “less exciting” brand of football, something that Jose Mourinho would attribute as a champions’ mentality. Similarly, Lebohang Maboe has been lethal in front of goal for Bafana Ba Style and it is without a surprise that he is the club’s top goal scorer with eight league goals and six assists in 25 matches.
“Johannesburg based side Bidvest Wits have an outside chance as they sit in third place with 51 points, but it’s all really down to Downs and Pirates who battle with Polokwane City in what promises to be a photo finish of this season’s Absa premiership.”
Final thoughts
With the Absa Premiership title race going down to the wire Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits all have a chance to finish as champions. It is safe to say that the league is now Sundowns’ to lose particularly after Pirates’ draw with Cape Town City in their penultimate game of the season. The Soweto giants are on 54 points, just one ahead of Sundowns who take on the challenge of Khompela’s Lamontville Golden Arrows before facing Free State Stars in the final game of the season. Johannesburg based side Bidvest Wits have an outside chance as they sit in third place with 51 points, but it’s all really down to Downs and Pirates who battle with Polokwane City in what promises to be a photo finish of this season’s Absa premiership.
Looking at the remaining games for both sides, it would appear that on paper, Sundowns have an easier run-in to the end of the season, as they are left with fixtures against sides from the bottom half of the table in Golden Arrows and Free State Stars. On the other hand, the remaining games are less friendly for Pirates as they face teams fighting for top 8, closing the season with a tricky encounter against Polokwane City. Bidvest Wits, who became champions for the first time only two seasons ago, have a mathematical chance of topping the final table on goal difference. Wits currently sit third in the league table with 51 points, three behind Pirates. This season will surely go down as one of the memorable seasons due to its competitiveness.
Who do you have winning the league? Can Pirates bring back the glory days, or will Sundowns defend their title?
2019 CAF Champions League Match Day 2: Big wins and giant killings by some debutants
Africa’s premier club competition, the CAF Champions League is back with a bang. We have already witnessed upsets, dominant wins and off the pitch drama by fans only 2 fixtures into the competition. Worry not, we have laid down the Matchday 2 summary here for you.
In the CAF Champions League, there are big wins and even bigger wins, Orlando Pirates had the biggest win of matchday 2, taking down Horoya AC 3-0 in their second group stage encounter. The win levelled the Buccaneers with defending champions Esperance de Tunis at the top of Group B, as the latter also collected three points from their 2-0 win against Zimbabwean champions, FC Platinum.
After Friday’s performance, Pirates look in form for a title chase. Speaking in the aftermath of Friday’s win, head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic expressed his desire to take the title this year, but he isn’t putting pressure on his players.
“There is a dream to put a second star here, however,...when you put weight of pressure on your players, that moment legs are locked and they are not themselves and not enjoying the football.”
It certainly looks like his players are coping well with the pressure of Africa’s biggest stage and are obviously flying high enough for any challenge.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly were held to a 1-1 draw by JS Saoura away in Algeria on Friday while Club Africain registered another win away in Egypt, beating Ismaily 2-1. Namibian striker Benson Shilongo opened the scoring Ismaily with a powerful strike inside the Club Africain box. Two penalties against Ismaily changed the trajectory of the encounter in favour of the Tunisian side. The stadium descended into chaos after the second penalty which had been initially been flagged as a free kick for a foul just outside the box. CAF is currently deciding on the fate of Ismaily after their supporters disrupted play causing the match to be abandoned.
Sahel's striker Amro Marai (L) vies for the ball with Ahly's Hisham Mohamed (R) during the CAF Champions League semi-final football match between Etoile Sahel vs Al-Ahly at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse on October 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SALAH HABIBI
(Sept. 30, 2017 - Source: AFP)
Congolese club AS Vita put out an impressive showing crushing their Tanzanian rivals, Simba Sports Club, 5-0. TP Mazembe however fell 3-0 to CS Constantine, which was nothing short of a surprise for the five-time champions. Despite the Mazembe goalie pulling off many saves in the first half, the Algerians’ persistence finally paid off in the 51st minute with a strike from Houcine Benayada. Debutants, CS Constantine have been a class act, securing 2 straight wins in 2 matches which leaves them at the top of Group C ahead of Club Africain and TP Mazembe.
Down South, Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a much better outcome for their efforts against Wydad Athletic Club. The 2-1 victory for the South Africans was crucial after a loss against Nigeria’s Lobi Stars in their first group stage encounter. Lobi Stars lost to ASEC Mimosas, with the Ivorians edging their West African counterparts, 1-0 in Abidjan.
Matchday 3 fixtures: CS Constantine taking on Ismaily and Orlando Pirates’ meeting with ES Tunis, are two fixtures that will probably have the most to look out for based on last weekend’s fixtures. FC Platinum will face off against Horoya, both teams in desperate need of a victory to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping for another win when they face ASEC Mimosa on Friday as they search for an elusive second continental title.