Sundowns win the league with seven games to spare, while Chiefs make it four wins in a row.

 

          Kaizer Chiefs players in celebratory mood after beating Stellenbosch FC 2-1. Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter.

It was an action-packed Saturday in the Dstv Premiership, that saw Mamelodi Sundowns winning the league with seven games to spare, while SuperSport United's draw against Chippa United threw the race for second spot wide open.

As things stand, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, and Kaizer Chiefs are all tied on 40 points after 24 games, with Pirates occupying the Caf Champions League spot by virtue of a better goal difference. 

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates:

Amabhakaniya managed to shrug off an early resistance from the Natal Rich Boys to down them 2-0 in a match played at King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, on Saturday afternoon.

Terence Dzvukamanja opened the scoring for Bucs in the 32nd minute after Kabelo Dlamini located him inside the box with an inch perfect cross from the right outside channel, while Monnapule Saleng finished the job for Pirates after 90+2 minutes, with a close-range finish which took his tally for the season to nine goals in the league.

Pirates enjoyed 58% of the ball, which culminated in 15 goal attempts with seven of them on target, while Richards Bay, who suffered their sixth straight league defeat, only managed five goal attempts, with a meagre two on target. 

With their win, Pirates moved to second spot on the league, after SuperSport United dropped two points against Chippa United.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC:

Amakhosi made it four wins in a row in the league as they put on a dominant performance om Saturday afternoon at FNB Stadium, to beat a 10-men Stellies 2-1.

The ghost of their first-round defeat to Chiefs, where they conceded three penalties and received a red card, came back to haunt Steve Barker's side as they gave away an early penalty, and got shown a red card in the 16th minute when goalkeeper, Sage Stephens handled the ball outside the box.

In a game they completely dominated, and should have scored more, Amakhosi took the lead through Ashley Du Preez in the 11th minute from a penalty spot, before captain Keagan Dolly added the second in the 25th minute to help Chiefs go to the half time break with a 2-0 lead, with Stellies looking dead and buried.

But Stellies came back a different side in the second stanza, as they pulled a goal back in the 46th minute through Jabaar. They almost grabbed an equalizer in the last minute of added time, but Brandon Pietersen pulled off a great close range save to deny Ortiz.

As has become the norm, Chiefs coach bemoaned his side's lack of killer instinct as they failed to kill the game off despite being dominant for most parts of the game.

Chiefs enjoyed 60% ball possesssion, 22 attempts on goal, of which only five were on target against 10-men. nonetheless, Zwane welcomed the all-important three points, and a fourth win in a row for his side, who have suffered a lack of consistency throughout the season.

Amakhosi remain fourth on the log, by virtue of a poor goal difference.  

Doesn't Dolly sound not too eager to play for Bafana? Or is it just me?

The Story Is: Kaizer Chiefs captain, Keagan Dolly, is still open to playing for the national team should a call-up come.

But he has also made it clear that Chiefs and his family are his biggest priority at this stage of his career, which makes it sound like making the Bafana squad is not really his goal at the moment.

"Ya, look, I’ve always wanted to represent my country and I still want to do that, it’s always an ambition of mine to help the country qualify for major tournaments you know and that’s still in me," Dolly said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/africa-cup-of-nations/dolly-on-bafana-snub-after-and-2023-afcon-qualification/

"But look we’re focused on Kaizer Chiefs and the game this weekend, we’re happy the boys qualified, we’re happy we’re going to AFCON and we don’t know what’s going to happen next whoever makes it needs to make sure we go there and do the country proud."

"If I happen to make the team, I make it, I will give my best – if I don’t, I’ve said that it gives me some time as well to spend with my family." he added.

"I’m at a stage of my life where I want to give my best to Kaizer Chiefs and if I do go to Bafana, I do and I’ll give my best."

The Fact Of The Matter Is: Hugo Broos can do with more experienced players as he sets his sights on a good showing in Ivory Coast AFCON 2024.

Dolly, who has featured 23 times for the national team, hasn't really set the scene in Bafana colors compared to his exploits at club level, the upcoming AFCON is an opportunity for him to write his name amongst national team legends.

Under Broos, Dolly has donned the national team colors four times, but due to his inconsistent performances at club level, he has found himself frozen out.

At the age of 30, with the talent and experience at his disposal, it is not too late for Dolly to show more enthusiasm about representing the country.

He has made 10 goal contributions for Chiefs so far this season, with five goals and five assists, not a bad return considering his struggles with form.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/03/why-winning-caf-champions-league-should.html?m=1

In A Nutshell: A consistent and determined Dolly can be a valuable addition to Bafana ahead of next year's AFCON.

His educated left-foot is a lethal weapon during set-pieces, a part of the game that is vital in the modern game, especially in tournaments like the AFCON, where set-pieces can decide the results during tight encounters.

But Bafana will need a more enthusiastic Dolly, who is still hungry to make his name in the national team.