23 December 2019, by: Thabang Kgeledi

PSL Talking Points – Matchday 15

Mamelodi Sundowns are only seven points leaders Kaizer Chiefs after the win over the weekend. Meanwhile, Chiefs tripped up once again against Maritzburg United and Pirates got their first three points under their new head coach.

As usual, we have got your PSL matchday 15 talking points right here.

Mamelodi Sundowns won their third game in five after their 1-0 victory against (soon-to-be-relegated-if-they-continue-playing-like-this) Polokwane City. With the win, they reduced their deficit to 7 points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Even though Sundowns have been collecting points lately, they have not been at their best. Their finishing in front of goal isn’t at the standard as it should be – Themba Zwane being the guilty party in most instances. Going into the New Year, I’m pretty sure Pitso will be satisfied with ‘only’ being 7 points behind Chiefs.

At one time it looked as though the number could be as big as 13. High flying Amakhosi are bound to have a dip in form sometime during the season. This will present Downs with the opportunity to close the gap even further.

Orlando Pirates new German coach Josef Zinnbauer guided his team to a 3-1 victory against Black Leopards over the weekend. Judging a coach’s aptitude after only their first game is like judging your child’s intelligence after their first report card. Only after they bring home their third can you begin calling them an idiot.

Orlando Pirates played well and deserved the victory. They finished the goal-scoring opportunities that presented themselves. However, it only took one easy pass to unlock their defence for the only goal they conceded.

There is still work to be done. Orlando Pirates have a wealth of (attacking) talent, Zinnbauer needs to have them playing consistently with their roles being well-defined. This is something his predecessor failed to do.

Judas Mosemaedi and Maritzburg United ended Kaizer Chiefs eight-game winning streak with a stalemate on Sunday afternoon. Kaizer Chiefs have now gotten two unfavourable results against United in the couple of games they have played them this season. Last month, Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-1 to them in a Telkom Knockout semifinal in a match where Judas put the fear of Jesus in Daniel Cardoso.

Maritzburg were the better team and probably deserved all three points. Chiefs looked sluggish and were dominated in the midfield area. Could the winning of games week-in, week-out have caused physical and mental fatigue or could it be that Maritzburg United have their number?

Crazy how things can change in a few weeks. Last month I remember writing:

“Chippa United are a horrible team and will get relegated. I’d bet my grandmother on it”

… And even their coach Norman Mapeza saying:

“I have to be honest with you. I didn’t come here to perform miracles. I’m a football coach and I know this terrain. If things don’t go well for me, as a coach you either resign or you get fired.”

Chippa United have now won four out of their last five games. Not only have they been beating fellow basement pickers like Amazulu and Cape Town City, but they are also beating league contenders like Supersport United with their 1-0 victory against Matsatsantsa coming over the weekend. The Chilli Boys went from spending the majority of the season at bottom of the league to only a single point from the Top 8.

Cape Town City lost… again. This time 2-0 to Bidvest Wits. City have made their games easier to predict than Cape Town weather. New head coach Jan Olde Riekerink has only been in charge for five games and they have lost three and drawn two. It’s not crazy to think three more losses would see him get the dread chop.

The Cape Town City team only start being incisive when they go behind. And by incisive I mean show interest in playing football. And by showing interest in playing football I mean playing high speed, frantic soccer without structure, which leaves them vulnerable on the counter.

They are now 15th on the PSL table with 13 points level on points with (soon-to-be-relegated-if-they-continue-playing-like-this) Polokwane City and a point behind number 14 Baroka.

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