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.  

Why Pirates must be wary of Richards Bay, and Chiefs might be in trouble against Stellenbosch FC.

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are pushing for a second spot finish, which will give them passage to next season's Caf Champions League.

This coming Saturday, the two Soweto giants will be looking for nothing less than three points when they take on Richards Bay, and Stellenbosch FC respectively in their quest to leap-frog second placed SuperSport United.

Richards Bay FC vs Orlando Pirates:

Based on current form and statistics, Orlando Pirates should have no problems disposing of Richards Bay when the two sides clash on Saturday 01 April at King Zwelithini Stadium, Durban.

After-all, the Rich Boys are currently enduring a poor run of form, having lost all their last five matches, scoring just a single goal, with 10 conceded.

With Pirates buoyed by their quest for the all-important CAFCL spot, they will be looking to rub salt to Bay's open wound by handing them a sixth defeat in a row.

The last time the two sides met, Bucs dominated proceedings, with 69% ball possession, and 11 attempts on goal, with the Rich Boys settling for just 31% of the ball, and a mere two goal attempts.

More of the same can be expected on Saturday, with Pirates dominating possession and creating the better chances.

But there is one factor that might work in Richards Bay's favor, and that is the change in their technical team's hierarchy.

Just before the international break, the Rich Boys announced Vasili Manousakis as their sole head coach, with Pitso Dladla relegated to an assistant role after they worked as co-coaches throughout the season.

Coaching changes seem to motivate players as they perform above themselves in the first few games to impress the new coach.

That is what Pirates will have to contend with, a rejuvenated Richards Bay looking to get back to winning ways.

If Amabhakaniya can keep cool heads and be able to handle a resurgent Bay, they may walk away with the much needed three points.

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Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC: 

Amakhosi will host Stellies on Saturday 01 April at FNB Stadium, with the kickoff at 17:30.

This should be an exciting fixture, with both sides currently enjoying a rich run of form.

Chiefs have won three of their last five games, showing a bit of consistency for the first time this season, with four wins in a row if you include the Nedbank Cup.

While Arthur Zwane will be hoping for a continuation of their good run, they are facing a Stellies side that is also on an upward trajectory.

Steve Barker's youngsters, boosted by the return of Dstv Premiership Player of The Month, Iqraam Rayners, have been unstoppable lately.

They have won four out of their last five league games, dropping points only against Mamelodi Sundowns in a 1-1 draw.

The only thing that can separate the two sides in this all-important encounter is who takes their chances.

With Amakhosi's ability to create chances, with a positive xGF (expected goals for) of 1.68 per match, and Stellenbosch's unconvincing xGA (expected goals against) of 1.35 per match, we can expect Chiefs to have no problems finding the back of the net.

But it is Chiefs' defending that Stellenbosch may look to exploit, Amakhosi average 1.13 goals conceded per match, with Stellies in a mean scoring mood lately, having scored 10 goals in their last five matches, expect them two score a goal or two at FNB.

This is a difficult encounter to predict, but one thing for, there will be a lot of exciting action and goals from both sides.