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At this point of the ABSA Premiership Season, who are the favorites?
Kaizer Chiefs haven’t really run away with it. There are at least 3 other sides breathing down their necks.
Kaizer Chiefs Warm-up
Image Credits: Getty Images
Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions of South Africa for the second consecutive year after seeing off Orlando Pirates at the top of the summit by just two points. But the main question on everyone’s mind as the 2019/20 campaign kicked off was can they make it three titles in a row, and take home the crown for the 10th time, editing the history books in the process.
Pitso Mosimane ‘s men dramatically retained their championship after fending off fierce competition from Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits who were only 6 points adrift from being named champions.
There was a lot of excitement prior to the beginning of the 2019/20 season and it has provided nothing short of that. The title race was expected to be a two-horse race between Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, but halfway through the season that thought seems like a distant memory as several teams have come up to break Bafana BaStyle and the Buccaneers’ dominance at the top for the past two years. But who can really be considered as favorites at this point in the season?
“Amakhosi currently hold the best wins record in the league (74%) averaging 2.37 points per game but more importantly, their away record is currently the best in the Absa Premiership. Why is this important? ”
Kaizer Chiefs
Amakhosi were definitely not considered to be in the race for the title at the beginning of the season following their truly devastating 9th place finish in the 2018/19 season. However, a change of fortunes have seen them move nine points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates having played one game less. Doubts, disappointments and a whole lot more filled the Arrowhead Stadium as the 2019/20 campaign kicked off. Fans were not entirely convinced that Ernst Midderndorp was the right man to lead them to their first title since the 2014/15 campaign. An unprosperous transfer window that saw only five new signings and about ten departures during the summer did not improve the atmosphere around the club either. Now, 19 games into the new season, that all seems like an extinct memory as Chiefs look like a title-winning side again. Amakhosi currently hold the best wins record in the league (74%) averaging 2.37 points per game but more importantly, their away record is currently the best in the Absa Premiership. Why is this important? That is the one thing all teams which have been crowned champions have in common, they always had an incredible away record and if Chiefs are able to maintain their great away form they might be on their way to the title.
Mamelodi Sundowns
It would be impossible to have this conversation without including Pitso Mosimane’s men. The Brazilians are on the verge of rewriting the history books with the 10th title in sight. This record will definitely be a motivating factor as the Brazilians are trying to make it three in three. Sundowns have taken 35 points from their first 18 games this campaign, managing a 54% win rate. This has left them ten-point adrift from the top of the summit. Pitso has openly considered Chiefs to be favorites after their 4-2 defeat at the hands of the former. The CAF Champions League played a huge role in that defeat and the title race at large, but is that really enough reason for the huge gap at the top of the table? Sundowns definitely have their work cut out for them if they wish to make it a hat-trick of titles, but if any team can recover from a 10-point deficit it would definitely be Sundowns. Their team boasts one of the best coaches to ever grace African football and a very talented squad. Besides they pulled that one on Pirates last season, that is coming from behind to win the title.
Mamelodi Sundows Celebrations
Image Credits: Getty Images
Bidvest Wits
Having pushed Orlando Pirates and Sundowns all the way last campaign, the 2016/17 champions would like to have the crown once again, and with an experienced and well-decorated coach in the person of Gavin Hunt adding talents such as the Bafana Bafana trio of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanazi and Sifiso Hlanti in their side, makes their hunt for the title achievable. The Clever Boys are currently down in fifth place, 15 points from the title leaders Kaizer Chiefs but they have 5 games in hand. Only Kaizer Chiefs have a better win rate than Wits. Their defence which consists of the South African trio, has helped Wits to maintain the best defence in the league conceding only 12 goals and are just 3 goals away for matching Sundowns scoring form this season and still with a massive number of games in hand to do all of that. Gavin might have verbally thrown in the towel when he said, “Give the league title to Kaizer chiefs already,” earlier in December, but we all know very well that the title race is not over until it’s over.
Who’s your pick? Which side will go all the way? Let us know in the comments below
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Sundowns and Barcelona clash officially confirmed
Mamelodi Sundowns, FC Barcelona and La Liga confirm the champions vs champions clash as part of Nelson Mandela’s Centenary Celebrations at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on May 16th.
One of the most anticipated matches to close off the 2017/18 footballing, Sundowns-Barcelona scheduled to take place on the 16th of May, had been subjected to speculation of it not happening at all. The speculation was fuelled by Barcelona not officially announcing the fixture after the Brazilians had done so and also concerns that the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) would not approve the match since it falls within the domestic season. Forget all of that, it’s going down in Johannesburg on May 16 at 4 pm GMT. Both Mamelodi Sundowns and FC Barcelona have released communications confirming the showdown.
"Mamelodi Sundowns and the Motsepe Foundation are partnering with the Inter-Ministerial committee of the South African government that is responsible for the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, SAFA and La Liga. Mamelodi Sundowns is grateful to the PSL for having approved the match and to CAF for having moved the Mamelodi Sundowns match against Horoya AC in Guinea Conakry." - Mamelodi Sundowns
"FC Barcelona has always professed its admiration for Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, who after 27 years in prison went on to become the first democratically elected president of post-apartheid South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mandela represented the struggle for freedom and equality in the country and played a huge role in unifying the racially divided society. It is precisely this kind of spirit with which FC Barcelona has always been identified." - FC Barcelona’s Official Website
La Liga president, Javier Tebas, was also quick to give the match a thumbs up:
"We are delighted that FC Barcelona, the champions of the best competition in the world, will be playing in South Africa. This is a historic event and we are very proud that local fans will get to enjoy the stars and the quality of La Liga close up."
The South African Stadium Management boss, Jacques Grobbelaar announced on Twitter that ticket sales would commence on Thursday morning with prices ranging from (USD) $3.25 to $45 which is R40 to R550.
PSL Big Match Preview: Boys with Style welcome the Clever Boys
The match will kick-off at 4pm GMT, live on SuperSport.
Mamelodi Sundowns could increase the gap between themselves and second-placed Orlando Pirates to six points this Saturday, if they overcome a tricky Bidvest Wits side. With five games left to play, and three points gained will surely move Bafana baStyle closer to a third PSL title in five years. However as the Sundowns gaffer has previously described this period as a “squeaky bum time,” he is not oblivious to the challenge of the reigning champions, the Clever boys. Gavin Hunt’s spent most of the season anchored to the bottom of the log but have since found hit top form; they have lost only one of their last nine PSL matches. Currently occupying tenth position and three points behind Cape Town City in sixth, the Students would be relishing the prospect of finishing in a respectable position.
Both teams are expected to be firing on all cylinders given there are no significant injury concerns heading into the match. In their last time out, Bidvest Wits suffered a 2-0 defeat at home and would be eager to at least get one over the Brazilians and bow out as champions with some pride.
Managers’ Comments
“You know Wits will never allow us to win, let’s be honest. They have their pride, they have integrity. They want to show they can beat us. And Hunty [Wits coach Gavin Hunt] will never want to lose to us.”
“We want to finish as high as we can - everyone will have that same thinking. We are not thinking about anything else. The Ajax loss was our first in I’m not sure how many [nine league games]. But after such a bad first round, we have to go like hell still with five games left. We have to try to gett two points a game.”
PSL South Africa: Pirates hit a roadblock in pursuit of Sundowns
Pirates are now three points behind Sundowns with four games to play
On Wednesday night, the Buccaneers face the challenge of the relegation troubled, SuperSport United, with the match ending in an agonizingly 0-0 draw. It was a chance for the Orlando Pirates to close in on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who were four points above the Soweto boys at the start of the match. As would be expected, the Trendsetters otherwise known as Matsatsantsha were never going to be pushovers. The match started off brightly for the boys in black and white as Zambian forward, Justin Shonga had his effort going narrowingly wide, moments just after he has struck the woodwork from a free kick.
Still, in the opening half, Mpho Makolo was next in line to try and open the scoring, shooting from 25 yards only for the woodwork to deny him as well. The second half had a different complexion, with no consistent rhythm. The best chance of the half fell to Pirates’ Luvuyo Memela who forced a nice save off goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, tipping the ball just above the post for a corner kick. The 0-0 result means that Pirates are now three points behind Sundowns with four games to play until the end of the season while the Bafana BaStyle has got five.
In other fixtures, Ajax Cape Town boosted their survival chances by overcoming Champions, Bidvest Wits, 1-0.
PSL Midweek Round-Up: Sundowns and Pirates keep their feet on the pedal
The ABSA Premiership title race has been nothing short of a spectacle
It is almost set and stone that the ABSA premiership title race down to the flamboyant duo of Masandawana and Amabhakabhaka. On match day 25, Mamelodi Sundowns comfortably beat Chippa United 2-0 at home while Orlando Pirates narrowly got past Bloemfontein Celtic, 2-1. Sundowns were not as slick they usually are against the Chilli boys but two goals from the SA POTY award favorite, Percy Tau and Zimbabwean playmaker, Khama Billiat settled the Brazilians nerves for the meantime, who have Pirates breathing down their neck on the standings. Zambia’s Augustine Mulenga wonder goal was the match winner for Pirates who have now played one more game than Sundowns.
In other fixtures, Kaizer Chiefs climbed up to third with a 1-0 win over Free State Stars courtesy of Teenage Hadebe’s injury time strike. Champions, Bidvest Wits, who were rock bottom for the greater part of the season continued their march to safety with a 2-1 win over fourth placed Maritzburg United. Benni McCarthy’s Cape Town City were stunned 1-0 at home by Golden Arrows and Matsatsantsha’s (SuperSport United) struggles continued they succumbed to a 1-0 loss against Polokwane City with the PSL top scorer, Rodney Ramagelela adding a goal to his tally.
Only five games remain. Who will win the title? Who will face the axe? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
South African POTY Award: “Give it to Percy.”
“Percy Tau must win player of the year award”
The outspoken Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane, has openly declared whom he thinks should PSL ’s player of the year award. Mosimane has expressed disbelief over the “campaigning” he has observed on the media for such awards, saying that it’s not healthy for South African football. According to Mosimane, no one comes close to the 23-year-old Sundowns player when it comes to South African football matters this season.
““For me, you can’t compare Percy Tau with anybody, give it to him. He plays Champions League and he’s scoring. He is scoring for Bafana, he is scoring in the league, he is scoring in the Nedbank Cup. Who do you want to compare him to? No, let’s be honest, who do you want to compare him to? Okay you can have nominees, which is good, but give it to Percy.””