PETERSEN BLUNDER HAUNTS KAIZER CHIEFS!
By Akasia Express Sport
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen found himself under the spotlight for the wrong reasons after a costly error allowed Polokwane City back into Saturday’s Betway Premiership encounter, while league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns were also forced to settle for a point in a weekend that saw 16 goals scored across six matches.
Chiefs appeared on course for another important victory when Lebohang Maboe gave them the lead against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
But the advantage disappeared in the second half when Petersen was beaten by Giovanni Philander’s effort, with the goalkeeper’s error contributing to the equaliser as Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw.
The result maintained Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the league campaign, but it also represented another missed opportunity for Fernando Da Cruz’s side to close the gap on the teams above them.
Da Cruz was particularly unhappy with the mistakes that cost his team victory. The Chiefs coach said his side had made “big mistakes” and also renewed his call for the introduction of VAR in the domestic league, arguing that technology could assist match officials and improve the standard of refereeing.
SUNDOWNS RESCUED BY LAST-GASP EQUALISER!
While Chiefs dropped two points, Mamelodi Sundowns were forced to fight until the final kick to avoid a damaging defeat against Chippa United.
The defending champions looked destined to suffer their first league loss of the season after Sirgio Kammies put Chippa ahead in the 78th minute.
Sundowns, however, refused to surrender and Antonio Van Wyk struck in added time to rescue a 1-1 draw for Miguel Cardoso’s side. It was a dramatic ending to a match in which Chippa had defended stubbornly against the league leaders.
Despite dropping two points, Sundowns remain firmly in control at the summit. They moved to 20 points from eight matches, with Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu both on 13 points and Chiefs fourth on 12.
Cardoso’s post-match frustration was not directed solely at his players. The Portuguese coach strongly criticised the playing surface at Buffalo City Stadium, describing the conditions as more suitable for wrestling than football. He questioned the decision to stage a top-flight match at the venue, particularly after rain made an already difficult surface even worse.
The draw nevertheless means Sundowns remain unbeaten after eight league matches and have built a six-point advantage over the chasing pack.
AMAZULU KEEP PRESSURE ON THE LEADERS!
AmaZulu quietly continued their impressive start to the campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants.
The Durban side claimed their second consecutive league victory, moving to 13 points and strengthening their position near the top of the table. Gallants, meanwhile, remain without a league win and are struggling near the bottom.
AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane was pleased with the victory but warned his players against becoming complacent. His assessment was that the performance was not at the level he expects from the team, despite the crucial three points.
That combination of winning while knowing there is still room for improvement could prove important for AmaZulu as the season develops.
MILFORD PRODUCE THE WEEKEND’S BIGGEST STATEMENT!
The biggest winners of the weekend were undoubtedly Milford FC.
The newly promoted side produced a stunning 5-1 victory over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
Milford’s emphatic victory was one of the standout results of the young season and provided a major boost to their campaign. Siphosethu Ndlabi opened the scoring from the penalty spot, setting the tone for an afternoon in which Milford repeatedly exposed Richards Bay’s defence.
Richards Bay’s afternoon became even more difficult after they were reduced to 10 men, allowing Milford to take full advantage and run riot.
The result moved Milford onto eight points and demonstrated that the newcomers are capable of competing with established Premiership opposition.
SIWELELE STILL WAITING FOR FIRST WIN!
Siwelele FC’s search for a first league victory continued, but they showed plenty of fight to earn a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows.
The result means Siwelele remain without a win, but the point will offer some encouragement to Lehlohonolo Seema’s team as they attempt to climb away from the bottom end of the table.
Golden Arrows, meanwhile, will regard the result as two points dropped after failing to hold on to their advantage.
KRUGER UNITED FINALLY BREAK THEIR DUCK!
There was a historic moment for Kruger United on Sunday when the newly promoted side recorded their first-ever Betway Premiership victory.
Kruger United stunned TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, with Khetukuthula Ndlovu scoring the decisive goal in the 73rd minute.
The visitors had to show enormous resilience after TS Galaxy were reduced to 10 men following Veluyeke Zulu’s dismissal, but Kruger held firm to secure a landmark three points.
For coach Abraham Mongoya, the victory represents an important breakthrough after a difficult introduction to top-flight football. Earlier in the campaign, Mongoya had urged supporters and the club’s management to trust the process, insisting that he could see progress despite the team’s poor results.
The first victory will now give Kruger belief that they can survive in the top flight.
STELLENBOSCH AND SEKHUKHUNE SHARE THE SPOILS!
The weekend action began on Friday night with Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United playing to a 1-1 draw at Athlone Stadium.
Sekhukhune took the lead through Bethuel Muzeu, but Stellenbosch were rescued late on by veteran striker Bradley Grobler, who scored his first goal for the club to earn a share of the spoils.
The result left both sides with a point, although Stellenbosch will have been relieved to avoid defeat after needing a late intervention from Grobler.
A WEEKEND OF OPPORTUNITIES MISSED!
The biggest theme from the weekend was missed opportunities among the teams chasing Sundowns.
Chiefs could have strengthened their position near the top but were held by Polokwane City. Sundowns, meanwhile, needed a stoppage-time equaliser to avoid their first defeat.
AmaZulu took advantage of the slip-ups with their victory, while Milford produced the biggest statement of the weekend with their 5-1 demolition of Richards Bay.
At the other end of the table, Kruger United finally have their first win, while Siwelele remain desperately searching for theirs.
WEEKEND RESULTS
- Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Sekhukhune United
- AmaZulu FC 1-0 Marumo Gallants
- Polokwane City 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
- Chippa United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
- Milford FC 5-1 Richards Bay
- Siwelele 1-1 Golden Arrows
- TS Galaxy 0-1 Kruger United
The Betway Premiership now heads into another round with Sundowns still setting the pace, but the weekend’s results have shown that the chasing pack is refusing to allow the champions to disappear over the horizon.
