DSTV Prem Weekend Review – Winners And Losers By OptaJabu

Every Monday or Tuesday, we comb through the numbers to bring out the Biggest Winners and Losers of the PSL weekend.

Romain Folz – Winner

When he first arrived, the biggest concern about Romain Folz was his age & relative inexperience. It hasn’t helped that results have eluded him. Two losses, and six draws in eight games at Marumo Gallants have been followed by two losses, one win, and five draws at AmaZulu across all competitions. These (coupled with defeat in the MTN8 final) are not results capable of changing minds. And nothing tends to stick to a coach like a reputation for draws – ask Brandon Truter.

So it is to his credit that he took on the mighty Amakhosi and gave AmaZulu a result that will live long in the memory. The Zungu hierarchy were buoyant after the win and must feel justified for backing him longer than Gallants did (9 games to 8). But until that 12% win rate begins to change, others will still not be convinced he is the man for the job. Results like the Friday one certainly helps his case. When your brand new signing scores and the player you bring off from the bench also does the same, it gives off the impression that there is a method that belies his youthfulness.

8 – This was only the 8th time in PSL history that AmaZulu scored 4+ in a league game, but the first time they did so against Kaizer Chiefs.

Orlando Pirates’ Determination – Winner

The recent monkey that had climbed on Pirates’ back was a record-breaking run of 15 games without a second-half goal. The record is 18 games if you go back to the end of last season, and that monkey starts to look like a gorilla. It looked as if that record would be extended as we headed into injury time, but subs Terrence Dzukamanja & Vincent Pule managed to break the curse. It’s not a surprise then that this was the first time this season Pirates scored a goal from a player coming on as a substitute.

2 – The 92nd and 94th minute goals represent the first time in PSL history that Orlando Pirates have scored twice in injury time of a league game.

Terrence Dzvukamanja – Winner

He has been a fringe player of late and could do with a consistent run of games. After all, he has proven himself to be a lucky charm:

100% – Terrence Dzvukamanja has won 100% of the league matches in which he’s scored in (9 in 8); with only Roger Feutmba (11/11) having a better 100% record in PSL history.

Salim Magoola- Winner

He needs one clean sheet in the final 14 games to equal the record for a newly promoted goalkeeper.

Richards Bay – Winner

Technically, the Rich Boyz of Natal now needs just one point to secure safety. And we’ve only gone past the half-way stage of the season.

29 – Richards Bay have 29 points from 16 games. Only 2020/21 Swallows FC (30 points) have won more points at this stage of their first season after promotion.

Deano Van Rooyen – Winner

A special day for the Stellenbosch captain, who on Saturday became the club’s record holder for top-flight appearances (77). Aged 26, he will probably be adding many many more.

Fadlu Davids – Winner

Back-to-back wins for Maritzburg for the first time in 16 months. The Pirates and Lokomotiv Moscow experiences are now behind him, and Davids may now be a better coach after all because of such. The time to show that is now, and he has started positively.

Brandon Truter & Sekhukhune – Winner

Three wins in a row is his best run as a coach in the top flight (he did it once each at Swallows and AmaZulu). While for Sekhukhune, this was the first time they won back-to-back away matches since their promotion.

Kaizer Chiefs – Loser

The display in defeating Orlando Pirates in October’s Soweto derby suggested that Arthur Zwane’s Chiefs had found a new resolve. Yusut Maart’s goal sent the crowd into ecstasy, but it was the statement victory that bought a stuttering Arthur Zwane some time even among the most pessimistic of fans. When they beat Golden Arrows in the first match after the World Cup break, it looked as if that would continue. But there’s nothing like successive defeats to bring one down to earth.

Chiefs’ next games are Sundowns (Chiefs’ recent record against them is – LLWLDL), Royal AM (LLL) and the TS Galaxy (DWDDD). Golden Arrows are the last fixture before they face Orlando Pirates again on MatchDay 21. These five games may be the ones that dictate the mood for the remainder of the season. Take fewer than six points and a Top8 finish may be the ceiling for the season. Take 10+ points and he can build on his current foundation towards a CAF spot.

47% – Zwane’s win-rate in his first 15 games is the joint best of the last four Chiefs coaches:

• 47% – Zwane & Baxter
• 27% – Hunt
• 33% – Middendorp

AmaZulu – Loser

AmaZulu have won just one of their last 11 league games, having lost one of the previous 11 before.

Chiefs And Missing Penalties – Loser

8 & 3 – Chiefs have been awarded more penalties than any other side this season (8), but have also missed more penalties than any other side (3).

Cape Town Teams’ Defences – Loser

Stellenbosch have kept three clean sheets this season, the fewest of all sides. Meanwhile, City have not kept a clean sheet in eight league games, their worst such run under Eric Tinkler (both spells).

Own Goal Scorers – Loser

12 own goals have been scored already this season, as many as there were throughout all of last season. And we still have 100 games to go.

Royal AM Away Woes – Loser

4 – Royal AM have lost their last four away games, the longest such run by any team this season.

Marumo Gallants – Loser

Back-to-back home losses for Marumo Gallants for the first time since they became a top-flight side. The red card did not help matters.