DSTV Prem Weekend Review – Winners And Losers By OptaJabu

Check out our winners and losers from the DSTV Premiership by OptaJabu.

Dan Malesela & Gallant Marumo – Winner

Appointed by Gallants in November, with the team rooted at the bottom of the table and winless since the start of the season, Dan Malesela has turned the sides’ fortunes in a manner even he would have doubted. When you’re hired to join a team approaching a relegation battle, most coaches would choose to make a team more solid in defence and use clean sheets as a strategy to work themselves up the table.

Malesela seems to have done the opposite and the 3-2 comeback victory is an example to that effect. Gallants opened the scoring just once before his arrival, but have done so six times in the nine league matches he has overseen. They lost the lead this weekend but went on to claim it back and he deserves to headline the winner’s list this weekend.

13 – Marumo Gallants have won more points away from home than any other side since Dan Malesela took over at the club in November last year (13), while only Sundowns (18) have more points overall in that time.

Kaizer Chiefs & Late Goals – Winner

As far as late winners go, Khama Billiat’s goal against Baroka ranks as one of the latest this season. Chiefs have scored four goals after 90+ minutes in the league this campaign, with only Royal AM (5) having more in that period of games. Altogether, it’s seven points they have secured after 90+ minutes, which could come in handy in what is looking like a tight race for 2nd.

1 – This is the first time ever that Chiefs complete a league double over Baroka.

Bienvenue Eva Nga – Winner

He may have ended up on the losing side, but Eva Nga is on the Winners List nonetheless. For a moment, it looked like his goals would secure the comeback win for Chippa, but that never happened. Nga scored his 8th and 9th league goals of the season over the weekend – no player in Chippa’s history has scored more in a single top-flight campaign (the previous best was Rhulani Manzini 8 goals in 2016/17).

3 – Eva Nga needs 3 more goals to equal Rhulani & Lerato Manzini as Chippa’s all-time top scorer in the top-flight.

Royal AM & Taking Their Chances – Winner

John Maduka’s side remain unbeaten in the New Year, winning three and drawing one since PSL football returned. A side that was expected to crumble at the beginning of the season has effectively secured safety from relegation, and they may even start aiming higher. They were let off the hook when Jamie Webber missed his penalty but made no mistake when they were awarded their own.

6 – Victor Letsoalo has scored six penalties in the league in 2021/22, more than any other player.

Golden Arrows – Winner

Knox Mutizwa’s brace will grab the headlines, but of course, he has not done this by himself. The entire club can and should celebrate securing the bragging rights after the KZN derby.

5 – Golden Arrows have completed more league doubles against Maritzburg than any other side.

South African Sides in CAF – Winner

Three teams and three wins for PSL representatives in CAF capped off a good weekend for PSL clubs. Sundowns marked history with a 1st win away to Al Ahly, and Pirates’ six-goal rout was also impressive but AmaZulu will be equally thrilled with their 6th point in the group.

Chippa’s Home Woes – Loser

It’s been a year since Port Elizabeth was renamed to Gqeberha, and Chippa have only won one game in that time. Ironically current coach Kurt Lentjies was the scorer in their only home win over the last 12 months. It’s the type of home form that could have serious consequences.

​​1 – Chippa are the only team yet to win a home game this season (W0, D7, L3).

Ernst Middendorp – Loser

The German should start getting worried, with his team resembling him in looking like they have run of steam. They are also just one point above the relegation zone and host Sundowns in their next game, meaning they could be dragged into the mire if results don’t go their way.

1 – Maritzburg have won just one of their last 13 games (D5 L7 since the start of November)

Kaitano Tembo – Loser

Supersport have already lost both league matches they have played this year. More worryingly, they have won one of their last five home matches, losing all the other four. It is the type of form that has seen them slide down the table, and now could even threaten their hopes of a Top 8 finish. Tembo needs to find a spark somewhere if his side are not to slide further down.

26 – 26 points from 19 games is Tembo’s worst start at this stage of a PSL season.