When it comes to the last three to four games, that’s where it really counts - Hunt.

SuperSport United coach, Gavin Hunt. Image: Twitter

If Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are to achieve their Caf Champions League qualification dreams, they will have to deal with a stubborn matter of SuperSport United.

Amantsantsantsa moved back to second spot after their 2-0 win over TS Galaxy at TUT Stadium on Friday evening.

Gavin Hunt's men were their effective selves against The Rockets, managing to create better scoring opportunities despite enjoying only 42% of the ball, while they kept their opponents at zero shots on target.

Goals by Siphesihle Ndlovu 5' and Bradley Grobler 49', ensured that SuperSport walked away with the much needed three points.

Before Friday night's encounter, Amantsantsantsa had drew 1-1 with Chippa United, and lost 1-0 to Pirates.

Hunt believes the last three/four matches will count in deciding who wins the race for the CAFCL spot.

He will be hoping his side maintains some form of consistency, with Pirates and Amakhosi breathing down their necks.

"When it comes to the last three to four games, that’s where it really counts. We just need to get ourselves going and where ever we end up we will be okay. We would have done well, we are pushing but in football sometimes you don’t get what you deserve," said Hunt as quoted by Times Live.   
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-08-hunt-bemoans-supersports-loss-of-home-comforts/

"I think we have really done well with the squad size and it is much harder to acquire players here at SuperSport. We have done out best with loans, free agents and out of contract players." 

Hunt on their win against TS Galaxy:

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/how-pirates-lost-out-on-signing-themba.html?m=1

"I thought we were good on a difficult pitch. Moving away from our home ground, we were always worried because we haven’t lost a league game at Lucas Moripe Stadium.   

“Our intention was good tonight and I thought we really deserved the victory, but at the same time you could see we haven’t won in two games and the players were a bit edgy but we were really good and got what we deserved."

How Pirates lost out on signing Themba Zwane.

The one that got away, Mamelodi Sundowns star, Themba Zwane. Image: Twitter

Orlando Pirates Director, Stanley 'Screamer' Tshabalala, has revealed how Amabhakaniya almost signed Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro, Themba Zwane.

Speaking to Extra-Time on iGagasi FM, Screamer said if it wasn't for Sinky Mnisi who wanted more money, Zwane would have donned the black and white Bucs jersey.

"With Mshishi [Zwane], we were killed by Sinky [Mninsi]. You know Sinky wanted more money, so he took him there [to Sundowns] because he wanted a million hands," said Tshabalala.

"A million rands was a lot of money that time, and that's how we lost Mshishi, otherwise he was supposed to play for Pirates.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/in-world-of-motoring-they-have-petrol.html?m=1

"After he joined Sundowns, they loaned him to Mpumalanga Black Aces, then again we went for him. But one night at around 22:00 or 23:00, Pitso [Mosimane] called me and said we must stop going after the boy because he was still their player, they had not abandoned him, they were just trying to get him to understand how the game is played in the professional ranks, not what he was used to in the township [Tembisa]."

Themba Zwane has since went on to become the heartbeat of the Mamelodi Sundowns 'Shoe shine and Piano' style of play, which was incidentally made famous by the very same Screamer during his days with the Brazilians.

He has appeared over 320 times for the Brazilians since his return from Aces in the 2014/15 season, scoring more than 70 times and assisting with 50 plus goals. 

In the world of motoring, they have petrol heads, and football has Mokwena, a football head.

           Image credit: Twitter

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena is a man married to the game.

Mokwena's passion for the game borders on total obsession, which is not a bad thing at all if one wants to be successful and stay a bit ahead of the rest in the field.

Mokwena's necessary obsession with attention to detail when it comes to preparing for opponents is nothing short of military precision, where small mistakes are a difference between life and death.

It is not surprising than, that Mokwena can already wax lyrical about his side's Caf Champions League quarterfinal opponents, CR Belouizdad.

"It is a draw we accept with a lot of humility but also with a clear understanding that it is going to be very difficult,” Mokwena told Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-06-cr-belouizdad-a-very-good-side-sundowns-coach-mokwena-cautions/

"CR Belouizdad are a very good side, though they finished second in their group with 10 points. They have a good campaign, in the Champions League and their domestic league where they are on top of the log though they have played only 17 games. 

"The gap between number one and number two is maybe a bit of story that is similar to ours [Sundowns in the PSL] — a big gap of about 13 points. 

"They have good players. They play something similar to a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with a strong and powerful Nigerian striker upfront, Anayo Iwuala, and their top goalscorer with five goals, Mohamed Bakir."

Mokwena on the challenge of traveling to Algeria while dealing with domestic fixtures:

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/zangenbergs-appointment-is-another-step.html?m=1

"They are an interesting side with good tactical formations and structures and we know going to Algeria is going to be difficult, particularly with the travelling and trying to map our way between domestic fixtures. 

"We have the Nedbank Cup [quarterfinal against Stellenbosch FC in the Cape on April 15] just before we have to travel to Algeria, there is a lot of work for our management team and advance travelling party to do.

"But they have a lot of experience and we trust them to assist us with the preparations." 

If Mamelodi Sundowns are to progress to the semi-finals, thorough preparations will be key, and judging by Mokwena's comments, it seems they are right on the pulse. 

Zangenberg's appointment is another step ahead of the rest for Sundowns.

Image credit: Mamelodi Sundowns Facebook. 

The football brains behind the Mamelodi Sundowns team are the envy of many a Dstv Premiership club.

The experience and football knowledge of Manqoba Mngqithi, Steve Komphela, Wendell Robinson, Michael Loftman, and head coach, Rulani Mokwena, means that Sundowns players have a wealth of football wisdom to call upon.

Added to that is Flemming Berg, their Sporting Director, who has a wealth of international experience under his name.

With their latest technical team appointment in Head of Physical Performance, Mathias Zangenberg, who comes with Uefa and World Cup experience, it is safe to say Sundowns have the Rolls Royce of technical teams.

On top of his experience, Zangenberg has a Uefa A license, and a Masters Degree specializing in human physiology from the University of Copenhagen.

With Downs' regular participation in the grueling Caf Champions League, plus domestic tournaments on top of the league games, excellent conditioning is a must if their players are to stay in a top physical condition, while mitigating the threat of avoidable injuries.

Also Read: https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/xoki-backs-saleng-for-the-psl-footballer-of-the-season-gong/

That is where Zangenberg will play a crucial role, something he will do across the Sundowns structures.

"his knowledge, experience and
work ethic will assist in getting the first team to the next level and to make a clear strategy for
physical training and injury prevention throughout the entire club," said Flemming Berg on the Mamelodi Sundowns website while welcoming Zangenberg.

At the rate at which Sundowns are pimping their technical department, they will be light years ahead of the rest in Dstv Premiership, and catching up with them will prove to be a tantamount task. 

He has been a great revelation to us - Xoki on Saleng.

Orlando Pirates star, Monnapule Saleng. Image: Twitter

If Orlando Pirates was a car, Monnapule Saleng would be the fuel.

For his small shoulders, Saleng has managed to carry the hopes of the Soweto giants with distinction.

Out of the 28 goals Pirates have scored in the league, Saleng has contributed directly in almost half of them, scoring nine and assisting four.

That's how influential the wing forward has been for Bucs, which makes it even more fitting for him to be called a revelation.

His teammate, Thapelo Xoki, hopes Saleng's will continue with his exploits until the end of the season, something that will benefit the player in the race for the player of the season award, as well as the club in their quest to clinch second spot.

"For us we just hope he continues that vein of form which gives him a better chance to get the nod," Xoki told iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/xoki-backs-saleng-for-the-psl-footballer-of-the-season-gong/

"But we would like him to win it because he has done very well for the team, very influential, even got the call up to the national team. So he has been a great revelation to us.

"We hope he continues in that journey, help him whenever we can and push him to get more goals, more assists so that by the end of the season all sets are done and has a better chance for other candidates."

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/swallows-have-will-but-not-strong.html?m=1

Saleng will once again be key when Pirates travel to Gqeberha to face Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday  08 April. 

Chippa beat Pirates 1-0 at Orlando Stadium when the two sides met during the first round.

They will be hoping for more of the same as they try to steer clear of relegation, while Saleng will be looking to help his side stay second on the log. 

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. 

Arthur Zwane: We shouldn’t worry about what Sundowns are doing.

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane. Image: Twitter

Mamelodi Sundowns and their dominance of local football, which has seen them wrap up their sixth league title in a row, is non of Kaizer Coach, Arthur Zwane's concern.

The Amakhosi mentor, who has endured a testing season, with his side's lack of consistency, which led to the team's supporters calling for his sacking, says Chiefs are running their own race, without obsessing about catching up with Downs.

"We’re doing things gradually, we’re looking at things differently, why I say differently… because the game has changed, you know? Right now we have to look at ourselves, we shouldn’t worry about what Sundowns are doing," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-touches-on-transfer-plans-for-next-season/

"Yes it’s a fact Sundowns are doing well, but if we were to focus on Sundowns and not focus on what we can do right to take the team back to where it belongs, it would be the biggest mistake that we can make."

Not worrying about Sundowns' success, and focusing on gradually improving Amakhosi's fortunes, seems to be working for Zwane at the moment.

Chiefs are on a six match winning streak across competitions, something that looked like nothing but a distant dream for the club not so long ago.

While they are in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, their last opportunity at winning a trophy this season, Chiefs are also gunning for the Caf Champions League spot.

Perhaps, what should be more encouraging for Zwane, besides his side's strong finish to the season, is the type of signings the club has made.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-marumo-go-gallant-all-over-chiefs.html?m=1

Chiefs, in all honesty, lacked a strong spine this season, the center of their defence has been a disaster, and the reason why they lost or drew matches they should have won.

The arrival of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango, will ensure that Zwane has less sleepless nights next season.

While the addition of Mduduzi Mdantsane is welcome in the attacking/creative midfield role, Chiefs will do well to find a defensive midfielder who is willing to get dirty in their engine room.

As for hopes of catching up with Downs, Chiefs, as Zwane is well aware, are a season or two away from that, and patience, both with the coach, and the process, will be key.