DSTV Prem Weekend Review – Winners And Losers By OptaJabu

Kaizer Chiefs comes out as the big winners this weekend after their win over Supersport United. As expected, Keagan Dolly makes the list as well as the much-maligned Bernard Parker. Check out our winners and losers from the DSTV Premiership by OptaJabu.

Bernard Parker – Winner

“I’ve just said to the players that they are privileged to have a senior professional like Bernard Parker who puts in the shift he put in tonight. Hardworking, humble, a good team player, and responsible in society and for that reason, and that reason alone Bernard Parker is worth a place at Kaizer Chiefs. When everyone’s fit, will he play every game? I don’t know. But certainly, Bernard is one of those players who is a pleasure to have around the club.”

Stuart Baxter’s words of affirmation towards Bernard Parker were similar to those of a father proud that his oldest son can lead by example. Parker is not the perfect player, even his coach knows that. But if anything, his longevity at the highest level is to be admired. He remains one of only a handful of players that have both played in the Castle Premiership, the Absa Premiership, and the DSTV Premiership and also scored under the three different sponsors as well. For context, Parker started scoring when current coaches Lehlohonolo Seema, Eric Tinkler, Fadlu Davids were not only playing but also still fit enough to score.

Starting off with a brace against Santos in October 2006, Parker has scored at least once in every year that he has played PSL football except for the Covid-affected 2020. To come full circle fifteen years later, must be special, more so with this icing on the cake.

15 – 60 – Bernard Parker’s goals against Supersport were his 59th & 60th respectively for Chiefs (all comps), moving him past Siphiwe Tshabalala (58) as the club’s all-time top-scorer in the PSL era.

Kaizer Chiefs – Winner

Finally moving up, as Stuart Baxter promised. His team is starting to deliver. The full picture is 12 points from eight games, which is not too impressive. But when you zoom in and realize this is the first time Chiefs beat Supersport away from home since 2015 – that is impressive.

Keagan Dolly – Winner

The marquee signing of the season continues with his fine form and deserves a place on the winner’s list. There is a team around him and Dolly has not done this alone, but his growing influence is proving to be a catalyst to Chief’s progress. Khama Billiat (once last season and once this season) is the only Chiefs player to have provided two assists in the same league game since the start of last season. Dolly now joins him on that podium.

7 – No Chiefs player has been involved in more goals in all competitions than Keagan Dolly this season (7 – three goals and four assists).

PSL sides in CAF – Winner

All four PSL sides have qualified for the next round in the Champions League (2) and Confederations Cup. Not only that but South Africa is well represented in the coaching teams.

4 – South Africa has four teams in the Last 16 of the CAF Champions League, more than any other country

Marutzburg United – Winner

They may not be playing in front of vociferous crowds on Fridays anymore, but Maritzburg is still going strong on their own turf. They have lost just one of their last eleven home league matches, winning five and drawing the other five since the start of March.

Eric Tinkler – Winner

Eric Tinkler will be pleased with a victory ahead of the MTN8 final this weekend. However, the last half-hour will have him scratching his head, given how his teams managed to concede three goals. They can’t afford to lose concentration at any stage against Sundowns.

8 – City scored 4+ goals in a league game eight times since joining the top-flight in 2016. No PSL side has done this on more occasions in that time (Supersport also 8).

Brave Punters – Winner

Four-midweek games produced six goals altogether, and the early Saturday game had just the solitary own-goal. Punting Over 6.5 goals in the City Arrows clash will have taken some bravery, but it’s hard to blame anyone for not seeing that coming.

18 – Over 6.5 goals have happened only 18 times in the last ten years. With 2338 games played since then, it represents a 1% chance.

TS Galaxy – Loser

A change in manager has not resulted in a change in fortunes, who remain rooted at the foot of the league table. TS Galaxy is only the seventh side in PSL top-flight history to have won two or fewer points in their opening eight games.

2-1 – Only one of those sides was automatically relegated (Witbank Aces 1996/97).

Chippa United – Loser

They have five points in seven games and could be the bottom of the league table the next time they kickoff if Marumo Gallants & TS Galaxy both win their midweek games.

1 – Only once before have Chippa won fewer points at this stage of a PSL season (4 in 2019/20).

Golden Arrows – Loser

One win in seven league games, and it is a little surprise they are sliding down the table. The fightback from 4-0 down to 4-3 is commendable, but they should not have been there in the first place. Even this has not helped.

7 – Arrows have been awarded more penalties this season than any other side (7). Indeed, they have won more penalties in 8 games this season than they did throughout all of last season.

Supersport United – Loser

5 home wins in a row come to an end. This is actually the third time they have failed to win the sixth game after such a run.