Another disappointing weekend for the two Sowetan giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, as both suffered losses. Second-place Richards also felt defeat which meant Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-0 win over the Pirates meant they extended their already insane lead at the top of the table. Once again, we dive into the weekend’s winners and losers.

Winners

Mamelodi Sundowns – Winners

The last three weeks saw Sundowns face their “nearest” rivals – Kaizer Chiefs (5th), SuperSport (2nd) and Orlando Pirates (4th). If any doubts still existed that Sundowns are the champions-elect, they have been eviscerated in this period, as they have continued their winning streak.

No top-flight team has ever won the PSL title by a greater points margin than what Sundowns currently hold over second place (23 points). The record is 16, and it is hard to see how they can be hauled back from this point. It’s the inconsistency of the challengers that makes this seem unlikely – all three of SuperSport, Chiefs & Pirates have their best streaks at three wins in a row. No other team in the division has won more than four straight games.

One of the emerging questions we are getting is how soon Sundowns can be mathematically confirmed as champions. At the moment, they are safe from relegation, and they have already collected enough points to ensure that the team that is currently in ninth can’t catch them. We still have almost four months to go in the season.

The danger with this over-achievement is that it can easily become normalised. They are half-expected to win every game, and even when they win unconvincingly, it is seen as a disappointment. Yet, we must remember that this is an unprecedented run. The highest ever 30-game points total was achieved by Pitso Mosimane’s Sundowns in 2015/16, a team that is well remembered for destroying all and sundry, likely laying the foundation for the success seen today. Sundowns need 17 points in nine games to break the points record, something they can do with five wins and a couple of draws. There are many stats we can share to emphasise their dominance, but this one stands out for this weekend.

1 – 2022/23 Sundowns are the first team in PSL history to beat both Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Chiefs home & away in the same season.

We are witnessing a new bar being set.

Stellenbosch’s Fighting Spirit – Winner

Just two weeks ago, Stellenbosch were facing the real prospect of relegation. Stuck in 15th place and trailing 2-0 at home to Cape Town City in the first half-hour, a punt on them as relegation candidates would not have been far-fetched. What a difference 180 minutes can make. They essentially now need seven points to ensure safety.

2 – Stellenbosch won back-to-back league games for the first time this season.

The Swallows Defence – Winner

Had Swallows lost at home to Richards Bay this weekend, they would have dropped to bottom of the league given how other results went. Hosting the Rich Boyz of Natal is not an easy task – this was their 10th home game, and only one team (Chiefs) had gotten the better of them when they visited.

But under Ernst Middendorp, Swallows are starting to show the same grit.

4 – Swallows have kept four clean sheets in their last 5 games, as many as they managed in 23 previous league games.

Royal AM – Winner

A first away win since 3 September will be greeted warmly in the Royal AM household.

5 – Royal AM ended a run of five consecutive away losses, the longest losing run on the road by any team this season.

Veteran Coaches: Gavin Hunt & Dan Malesela – Winner

Marumo’s need for a win was more desperate but both coaches will be pleased their teams have returned to winning ways.

Knox Mutizwa Rediscovering Form – Winner

Six goal involvements in his last six league games is as many as he managed throughout last season. Only this weekend did we realise Knox has gone past 50 goals for Arrows – we missed it when it happened, but kudos to him now.

Cassius Mailula – Winner

10 – Mailula has now been involved in 10 league goals this season, one of only two players in the top-flight with that record. Peter Shalulile is the other.

Losers

Kaizer Chiefs – Losers

Kaizer Chiefs
Here is a list of teams with more clean sheets than TS Galaxy this season.

1. Sundowns

Chiefs’ failure to score from a red card may be disappointing for many fans, but they were up against one of the best defences in the division. Nine of TS Galaxy’s matches have ended 0-0 this season, the most 0-0 draws by a PSL side 20 games into a top-flight season. They need two more to equal the all-time record.

1 – This is the first time a Tinkler-led Cape Town City lost a league game they led at half-time.

Golden Arrows – Loser

15 goals conceded since the World Cup is the most of any team in the division. Indeed, it is more than Sundowns, SuperSport, TS Galaxy and Sundowns have conceded combined in that period.

Cape Town City Away Form – Loser

That’s one win in 10 away games since May last year. Many arguments can be made to back Cape Town City’s uncertain form this season, mainly that their Expected Goals (3rd in the league) and Expected Points numbers (2nd) are quite high. But being unlucky in the final third can only be an endorsement for so long.

Something needs to change in the away results:

5 – Swallows (4 points) are the only team to have won less points than City (5) on the road all season.