DSTV Prem Weekend Review – Winners And Losers By OptaJabu

Sundowns have conceded three goals in their last three games, but make the winner’s list. McDonald Makhubedu and Sekhukhune made the list after their win against Supersport, Swallows drew whilst Lehlohonolo Seema’s Golden Arrows were victors away from home after ten attempts and Stellies held Sundowns in a 1-1 draw. Check out our winners and losers from the DSTV Premiership by OptaJabu.

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The PSL (Race) – Winner

The interest in the title race over the last few weeks was starting to diminish, as it looks like Sundowns (breaking record after record) were cruising to yet another title. Something extraordinary needed to happen to reel them in and to be honest, we’re still waiting for that. However, their recent stuttering form has given a home that the PSL season won’t be like a peak Tiger Woods story – everyone else playing catch up. The stutter has coincided with a period of games against the four other teams that were in the Top 5 at the beginning of November. It seems as the opponents get harder, a chink can be found in the armor.

1 – Sundowns have conceded three goals in their last three games, having taken 20 games to concede 3 goals before then.

They face Royal AM (3rd) and the team that broke the clean sheet run Supersport (6th) in a crucial week for the PSL (on and off the field).

McDonald Makhubedu – Winner

23 – Only one newly promoted team in top-flight history has won more points at this stage of the PSL season than Sekhukhune’s 23 points (Swallows last season, 27).

Because Swallows have struggled this season, it is easy to downplay their achievements from last season. If it were not for a record-breaking run of draws at the end, Swallows 2020/21 would easily have been the best newly promoted side in PSL history.

Makhubedu’s side is performing close to Swallows of last season, and bouncing back from defeat to the champions and an early red card to beat Supersport suggests they may even have the character to even do better than Swallows.

Swallows FC – Winner

Speaking of Swallows, they managed to get a rare goal. However, they are on the winner’s list because of WHEN not WHAT or HOW.

6 – Swallows have scored six goals in the 90th minute or later since the start of last season, more than any other side.

They’ll need to show more of that fight to move away from the danger zone.

Lehlohonolo Seema – Winner

A first away win in ten attempts, Arrows must have been relieved. Arrows are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since May (five games now) and are starting to build up some steam under Seema.

9 – Only Sundowns (12) and Chiefs (10) have won more points than Arrows since the start of November (9).

Stellenbosch FC – Winner

They are still winless in their last five games, but going from successive defeats to a draw against the champions is good enough for them to be here. It was the first time Stellies picked up a point against Sundowns since they were promoted to the top-flight, and the point was just a reward for a strong performance especially in the first half.

1 – Stellies also became the first team to score against Sundowns in a home game since Chippa in April. 10 different sides had failed since then.

The PSL (Administration) – Loser

2021 is the year that marks the end of the 25th season of the existence of the Professional Soccer League. Ideally, the ordinary fan would expect a series of celebrations and special souvenirs to commemorate this memorable and historic time landmark. Ideally, the parents (PSL) who’ve overseen the league’s growth over the years would also be proud to show the rest of the world their success in raising the league from infancy through to maturity. Ideally, memorabilia on sale would include 25-years of highlights videos over the years, special diaries, coffee mugs, caps, and other accessories with the words to the effect 1996-2001 – 25 years of PSL emblazoned on.

With Covid-19 and uncertainties around crowds and gatherings, it’s understandable that the celebrations are moot. There is also a case to be made that souvenirs & other acknowledgments without the party itself would not feel right. A quiet year then one would guess? No.

Instead, 2021 has been a showcase of some of the worst administrative gaffes in the history of the game. The Royal AM-Sekhukhune fiasco, the Cape Umoya Covid-19 ruling, incompetent refereeing, floodlight issues, kit clashes, and the latest – the burying of their heads in silence amidst the confusion surrounding Chiefs-City fixture. While there are many stakeholders in the game who bear different levels of responsibility for all the above listed (municipalities, clubs, etc), the bulk of the blame belongs to the parent – the PSL. As the adults in the house, they are the ones responsible for creating & nurturing an environment of accountability and professionalism.

Instead, the overwhelming feeling is that we have none of that, and PSL is on the losers section this time. It’s not cake, but an egg that remains on their face during what was supposed to be a special year.

Supersport – Loser

The last time Supersport lost a successive home game in the league was in January 2018 under Eric Tinkler, meaning it’s a first under Kaitano Tembo. That the two defeats have come against Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune should be worrying for Matsatsantsa.

Chippa’s Home Record – Loser

Chippa remains the only side yet to win at home this season, and it is only the second time in their top-flight history that they have failed to win any of their opening six home games.

Under Dan Malesela, Siyabulela Gwambi, Gavin Hunt, Lehlohonolo Seema, Kurt Lentjies Chippa Mpengesi, they have managed 13 points from a possible 54 at home in 2021. That is a dreary record.

1 – Chippa has won just one of their 18 home games this year, drawing 10 and losing the other seven.