Chiefs CAFCL hopes dashed as they lose to Swallows.

Kaizer Chiefs saw their Caf Champions League hopes take a huge knock when they lost 2-1 to Swallows FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Gregory Damons opened the scoring for Swallows in the 7th minute, before Christian Saile Basomboli brought Chiefs level in the 23rd minute with a far post finish from a Mduduzi Shabalala free-kick.

But Bongani Sam headed Swallows back in front when he nodded in from a Keagan Allan bicycle kick in the 33rd minute.

Missed chances where once again Amakhosi's Achilles heel.

They had the game under their control, averaging 75% possession, and managed a whopping 25 attempts on goal, despite managing to put seven shots on target, Chiefs missed a lot of chances, especially in the second half, that could have seen them put the game beyond Swallows.

Swallows, who sacrificed possession and opted to keep things tight at the back, relied on quick offensive transitions and set-pieces to get scoring opportunities, and it was from both those situations that they found their goals.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/sundowns-are-serious-about-development.html?m=1

Monday afternoon's win saw Swallows move to the 8th spot on the log, far away from the relegation threat that has been hanging over their heads for the better part of this season.

As for Amakhosi, who have 46 points with two games remaining, chances of finishing on the Caf Champions League spot are as good as gone, unless Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United produce howlers in their remaining matches.

Chiefs next play Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Saturday 06 May at FNB Stadium, kick-off will be at 15:00.

This has been our disease - Zwane on Chiefs missing chances.

No team in the Dstv Premiership comes close to Mamelodi Sundowns when it comes to creating big goal scoring chances than Kaizer Chiefs.

But the difference is Sundowns converts their chances, while Chiefs are struggling.

That has been one of Chiefs' head coach, Arthur Zwane's headaches.

Going to their next match against Swallows FC, Zwane will be hoping his players bring their scoring boots and find the back of the net several times, something that will give them confidence for another Soweto derby on May 6.

While not scoring as much as they create opportunities, Zwane believes his side will eventually find their scoring touch.

"Look it’s the nature of the game, I don’t think there’s any player that wants to go onto the field and miss chances you know deliberately, they tried their best," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-on-mashiane-recall-wasteful-chiefs/

"On another day, they will get it right and score more than two, three, or four, and it’s coming. the only thing we have to do as a technical team is keep on believing in them and encouraging them to do the right things."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/sundowns-mokwena-have-earned-cr.html?m=1

Zwane says missing valuable chances has been Chiefs' biggest disease this season, and he is right.

While a team like Sundowns, with an xGF (expected goals for) of 1.89 has managed to turn the big chances they create into goals, not the same can be said for Chiefs, despite an impressive xGF of 1.73.

"You must have seen this has been our disease, the story of our season, missing chances – it could have been a different story on the log, if we take maybe half the chances we created," Zwane added.

"But having said that I can’t falter the players effort, they did everything right it’s just that missing link of being clinical in front of goals."

Playing Swallows before the derby worries Zwane.

Kaizer Chiefs will host Swallows FC on Monday 01 April at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, at 15:00.

But it is the Nedbank Cup semi-final derby clash against Orlando Pirates on 6 May that worries coach Arthur Zwane.

While the Swallows game is important for Chiefs in terms of their ambition to finish second on the log, the upcoming derby clash might affect them negatively, splitting their focus.

Zwane believes it is key for himself and his technical team to manage the mental side of their players going into the Swallows game.

“It's key that, as the technical team, we manage the players and, fortunately, some of us played in these games and we know how important it is for us to keep collecting points before the derby,” Zwane said after his side beat Chippa United 1-0 as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-28-it-gets-to-our-players-ears-worry-for-chiefs-coach-zwane-before-soweto-derbies-against-swallows-and-pirates/

“Sometimes the derby [against Pirates] can make you forget what's important. What's key is to take one game at a time and focus on this one.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-ts-galaxy-end-pirates-winning-streak.html?m=1

“As soon as we've played the game on Monday, we'll start focusing on the Pirates one. It's a bit difficult because people are already talking about the derby, especially after a great performance like this. People are already thinking Pirates, not Swallows.

“It gets to our players' ears and they start thinking about the derby. We have to manage it and we've [when he was a player] been in that situation and I think we have that advantage of helping these players manage the entire squad.”

Maritzburg United to be relegated, Chippa United for the play-offs.

                 Image: Twitter

With five matches to go in the Dstv Premiership, Swallows FC, Marumo Gallants, Chippa United, and Maritzburg United, are involved in a fierce relegation dogfight.

Looking at the statistics of the four relegation candidates, somehow took me back to the famous Animal Farm by George Orwell, and a quote from the book, which reads, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

What does that particular quote have to do with the relegation battle and the four teams? One may ask.

Well, here is the answer, according to statistics from FootyStats, all four teams are relegation candidates, but some are more in danger than others!

While Swallows and Gallants are a little bit on the safe side, it doesn't rain, but pours for Chippa and Maritzburg.

Here is why....

Average goals scored per match:

When it comes to this metric, Chippa United have are better than the other three teams, they average 1.00 goals scored per match.

But as the other numbers will reveal later in the article, their goals conceded average puts them in danger, which is why they can not read much into this.

They are followed by Marumo Gallants, who average 0.88 goals scored per match.

Swallows are third with 0.80, while Maritzburg United are rock bottom with 0.76.

Rankings:

1) Chippa United = 1.00

2) Marumo Gallants = 0.88

3) Swallows FC = 0.80

4) Maritzburg United = 0.76

Average goals conceded per match:

Gallants concede less goals per match than the other three, their average is 1.08.

They are followed by Swallows, with 1.16.

Chippa are third with an average of 1.36, while Maritzburg, again, are last with a poor 1.40.

Rankings: 

1) Maritzburg United = 1.40

2) Chippa United = 1.36

3) Swallows FC = 1.16

4) Marumo Gallants = 1.08

Now it is beginning to get interesting!

Average xGF (expected goals for) per match:

When it comes to creating good goal scoring opportunities, it is Gallants who are ahead of the other three, they average an xGF of 1.31, which means they do create chances, with an average of 8.95 shots taken per game.

What has let them down is their inability to convert their opportunities/shots, into goals, with a conversion rate of 11%. This is something they are improving on though.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/lentjies-chippa-united-demotion-could.html?m=1

Following behind Marumo is Maritzburg United, their xGF is 1.24, which is okay, they take an average of 8.48 shots per game, again, which is okay, but the anti climax is their shot conversion rate, which is the poorest amongst the four relegation candidates, at 9%. They just can't find the back of the net, no goals, no wins!

Swallows are third with an xGF of 1.04, averaging 8.36 shots per match, and a conversion rate of 10%.

The worst side when it comes to this metric is Chippa United.

Their xGF is a poor 0.78, they average 6.79 shots taken per match, which is a red flag, but their shot conversion rate has been their saving grace, with 14%. Otherwise they would have been bottom of the log already.

Rankings:

1) Marumo Gallants = 1.31

2) Maritzburg United = 1.24

3) Swallows FC = 1.04

4) Chippa United = 0.78

Average xGA ( expected goals against):

When it comes to giving away good chances to opponents, Maritzburg United are the biggest culprits, with an average of 1.65.

This simple means the Team of Choice can't defend to save their lives, and it is not a surprise that they are bottom of the table, poor defending equals losing games, period.

Behind Maritburg is Chippa, with an xGA of 1.47, while Swallows are third with 1.35, and Marumo with 1.22.

Rankings:

1) Maritzburg United = 1.65

2) Chippa United = 1.47

3) Swallows FC = 1.35

4) Marumo Gallants = 1.22

What does the form guide say, who is winning?

According to how the four teams have performed in their last five matches, things look promising for Marumo.

Here is how they stand:

1) Marumo Gallants = WDDWD [9]

2) Swallows FC = WLLWD [7]

3) Maritzburg United = LLLWL [3]

4) Chippa United = LLDDL [2]

In a Nutshell:

Maritzburg's number scream relegation!

They have lost four of their last five matches, they can't defend, and they definitely can't score goals, despite creating good chances.

Chippa must prepare for the play-offs, thoroughly!! Marumo are coming for them at a Gautrain speed.

As for Swallows and Marumo, making plans for next season in the Dstv Premiership might be advisable, to avoid similar fate.

But as one wise coach-cum-philosopher, Steve Komphela once said, statistics are like a bikini, they do not reveal everything!

In that case, we may have to expect the unexpected.

Mammila effect working at Swallows?

Swallows FC Technical Advisor, Morgan Mammila, during his happy days at Chippa United. Image: Twitter

Swallows FC held league champions to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon at Dobsonville Stadium.

The Sundowns draw follows a 1-0 win over AmaZulu FC in a game that was played on the 1st of April.

Before the AmaZulu win, and the Sundowns draw, Swallows had lost two games in a row, 4-1 against Orlando Pirates, and 1-0 against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

But here is the thing, both of the above losses came before former Chippa United coach, Morgan Mammila was announced as Swallows' Technical Advisor!

Mammila's best achievement as a coach so far, was becoming the first Chippa United coach to win four league games in a row in the Dstv Premiership after taking over the reigns from Daine Klate.

Although things went south after that, Mammila's record remains intact.

Mammila At Swallows....

When he joined the Birds, Mammila found them flirting with relegation.

They had just lost their head coach, Ernst Middendorp to a German club, with Musa Nyatama left at the helm, and had suffered two back-to-back losses.

Two matches after his arrival, Swallows have won one and drawn one, without a goal conceded.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/mokwena-is-impressed-his-players.html?m=1

Could it be the Mammila effect already at work?

Their next two league games will reveal the answer. Swallows will play against Stellenbosch FC on 22 April, and Maritzburg United on Freedom Day.

If Swallows can win both those matches, they will be celebrating freedom from the claws of relegation.

But most importantly, Mammila would have achieved another perfect four, well... Almost perfect four, having drawn against Sundowns. 

Swallows FC, and Cape Town City, have shown what is possible against Mamelodi Sundowns.

       Image credit: Lorenz Kohler

Swallows FC held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw in a Dstv Premiership encounter played on Sunday afternoon at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto.

It was a huge point earned by Swallows in their bid to steer clear of the relegation zone.

The Birds followed in the footsteps of Cape Town City, who achieved the same result against the Brazilians on Tuesday night.

Before their goalless draw against City, Sundowns had scored a goal in each of their previous league fixtures.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/zwane-deserves-more-credit-than.html?m=1

The last time Downs failed to score was on 10 August 2022, when they were beaten 1-0 by TS Galaxy.

It is not only in the Dstv Premiership where Mamelodi Sundowns have been ruthless in front of goal, they have been going about the business of scoring goals in the Caf Champions League as well, including seven over two legs against Al Ahly SC.

That is why both Cape Town City and Swallows should be proud of stopping Downs from finding the back of the net.

Against Swallows, Sundowns, as was to be expected, enjoyed the lions' share of ball possession, 79% to be precise.

They also managed 23 attempts on goal, yet the Birds were able to keep Sundowns to three shots on target.

Now, it might be argued that both these goalless draws came after Downs had already been crowned league champions, and psychologically might have taken their foot off the pedal a little bit.

As true as that might be in a way, it must not be allowed to take away from the good work done by the Swallows and City.

Keeping a team like Sundowns at bay, whether they are at their best to not, takes a lot of planning, tactical discipline, and mental application from both the coaches and players. It is no small feat.

What Swallows, and Cape Town City have done, is to show what is possible against Sundowns. That, after all, they're not invincible.

Swallows have the will, but not strong enough wings to fly over Sundowns.

 Image: Mamelodi Sundowns Twitter

With Mamelodi Sundowns having already wrapped up the Dstv Premiership title, one would expect them to a bit easy on their opponents.

But easy is a word that does not exist in coach Rulani Mokwena's vocabulary.

The Sundowns tactician played his strongest line up in their 0-0 draw against Cape Town City on Tuesday.

Swallows should expect more of the same when the two sides clash on Sunday 09 April at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto.

While Swallows are looking to climb away from the relegation zone, where they are living dangerously, just four points above the automatic relegation spot, Downs are on a mission of their own, chasing records and keeping the winning momentum going.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/arthur-zwane-we-shouldnt-worry-about.html?m=1

The Birds should be bouyed on by their win against AmaZulu in their last league match, a game where they had to dig deep to walk away with the all-important three points.

They had to make do with just 38% of the ball against Usuthu, but it was enough for them as they managed to grind out a 1-0 win.

But when it comes to playing against Downs, motivation alone will not be enough for The Birds, and their numbers don't do them any favours either.

Swallows average 0.83 goals scored per match in the league, with a poor 1.21 conceded.

Their inability to shut the back door, create valuable scoring opportunities and convert them, puts them in a huge disadvantage against a ruthless team like Sundowns.

But the Brazilians themselves were not that convincing on Tuesday against City, despite having 68% of the ball, they only managed three shots on target, failing to score against a City that finished the game with 10 man.

Maybe the motivation in league matches is not there anymore, with their focus being more on the Caf Champions League, perhaps, that can give Swallows a slight opportunity to cause an upset.

Besides that, Sundowns are just a sky too far for the birds to fly even close to. 

Are Swallows hoping for a four match winning streak from Mammila?

Morgan Mammila with Musa Nyatama. Image credit: Swallows FC Twitter. 

Morgan Mammila, of Chippa United fame, has been appointed as technical advisor at relegation threatened Swallows FC, just month after he announced his emotional retirement from coaching.

Swallows are 14th on the Dstv Premiership table, with 24 points after 23 games, just four points away from the automatic relegation spot.

After the departure of Ernst Middendorp to Germany, one would have expected Swallows to appoint an experienced tactician to their technical team, considering their relegation battle.

Morgan Mammila, who suffered a lot of ridicule because of his D-License coaching qualification at the time, doesn't have much to show in terms of coaching achievements, which makes it difficult to understand why on earth David Mogashoa would hand him such a crucial position.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.wordpress.com/2023/03/25/we-told-the-players-that-the-game-is-not-over-helman-mkhalele

Could Swallows be hoping for a four match winning streak?

Mammila's best coaching achievement was taking Chippa United on a run of four matches unbeaten when he took over the coaching reigns from Daine Klate.

After that impressive run, with Mammila looking well on his way to becoming an unlikely success story in South African football, his beginner's luck ran out, as he won just one in 10 matches, which led to his sacking.

He has now resurfaced at Swallows, and the only thing that one can think of about his appointment, is that Swallows are hoping he can bring his four match winning touch to escape the dreaded drop to the Motsepe Foundation.

There is absolutely no other reason. Mammila is not well known for his tactical know-how, as his final run at Chippa United proved.

It is not like he is a Dylan Kerr, a coach who has pulled off some great relegation escapes.

What Mammila is well-known for, is his administration skills.

So, his Swallows appointment as a technical advisor is baffling to say the least, it has to be the four match winning streak!

Desperate times call for desperate measures, Mammila as a technical advisor is a desperate measure.

Swallows have won just three in their last 10 league games, maybe Mammila's arrival can help them go on an amazing four match winning run, and stay safe from relegation, who knows!