This weekend saw tables turned for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi, known as the PSL ‘Big Three.’ Two of them both lost while the other managed to win their game
Both Chiefs and Sundowns lost their games 1-0 to Bidvest Wits and Baroka FC respectively on Sunday.
Orlando Pirates got to win over SuperSport United with a 2-1 victory.
Here are five things learnt from the Absa Premiership this past weekend:
1. Emotional Middendorp snubs media after Wits loss
Ernst Middendorp, Kaizer Chiefs head coach decided to miss a scheduled post-match press conference after the defeat from Wits at FNB Stadium on Sunday. A Zoom press conference was scheduled for Middendorp at 7pm SA time, in a bid to talk about his team’s loss. Unfortunately, Middendorp was unavailable for the press conference and his action could see him face the Premier Soccer League panel/committee.
2. Sundowns slipped as Chiefs hops up again
Mamelodi Sundowns were unable to go up ahead Chiefs for the first time this season, after they lost 1-0 to Baroka FC on Sunday evening. Sundowns only needed a point from the game to climb on top of the Absa Premiership table, but were denied that after Ananias Gebhardt’s first half header handed Bakgaga a full three points.
3. Pirates put to stop their winless run
On Saturday afternoon, Orlando Pirates put to stop their six games winless run with a 2-1 victory over SuperSport United. Vincent Pule and Zakhele Lepasa got involved in the two goals for the Bucaneers, with a consolation goal from Luke Fleurs for Matsatsantsa a Pitori.
4. Sandiland the hero of Pirates, Nurkovic the villain for Chiefs
On Saturday, magnificent Wayne Sandilands saved two penalties in Pirates’ 2-1 victory over SuperSport. Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza were denied goals by the veteran goalkeeper. That was enough for Pirates to take all the three points home. On the other hand, Samir Nurkovic, who is Chiefs top goalscorer became the villain in the lost match against Wits, after he missed a very simple chance for the club. Just in front of the net, Nurkovic couldn’t curl the ball into the back of the net, but rather fired a shot over the crossbar. This can only be described as one of the greatest miss of the season.
5. Lakay unlocks his scoring spree in style
Over the weekend, Fagrie Lakay scored a notable hat-trick in Cape Town City’s 4-1 victory over an unlucky Golden Arrows side at Emirates Airline Park. Within three minutes in the first half, Lakay scored his first two goals and finished finely with a third goal in the second half to earn a hat-trick award.
