Five talking points from Absa Premiership
The Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates produced five goals this past weekend, with Amakhosi edging the Buccaneers 3-2 in the end.
Erick Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs receives red card during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 football match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Soccer City (Gavin Barker/BackpagePix)
Chiefs extend lead at the top
Kaizer Chiefs continued their good form in the Absa Premiership with a thrilling 3-2 Soweto derby win over Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The win saw Amakhosi end their nine-game winless streak in league matches against their Soweto rivals and extended their lead at the top of the log standings to 10 points.
Mokwena slams ‘thuggish’ Chiefs
Following the derby loss to Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena slammed Chiefs for using ‘thuggish’ tactics to win the game. Mokwena accused the Chiefs players of kicking and punching his players during the game. Chiefs ended the game with 10 men after Erick Mathoho was red carded for allegedly punching Abel Mabaso during a scuffle between Chiefs and Pirates players.
Wits and Sundowns lose ground on log leaders
League title chasers Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns lost ground on log leaders Chiefs after suffering defeats to SuperSport United and Golden Arrows respectively this past weekend. Second-placed Sundowns now trail Chiefs by 10 points, while Wits are 13 points behind Amakhosi. Sundowns have one game in hand and Wits have four games in hand over Chiefs.
Chippa register first win
Chippa United eased up pressure on their new coach Norman Mapeza by winning their first league match of the 2019/20 season, defeating AmaZulu 2-0 away this past weekend. The win was not enough to move them away from the bottom of the log, but it closed the gap between them and fellow strugglers AmaZulu, Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City to just four points. The trio is on 11 points while the Chilli Boys are on seven points after 11 games.
Soweto derby win cost Chiefs
Chiefs’ win over Pirates came at a cost for Amakhosi as they are going to play Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout semifinals next week without three of their regular starters. Daniel Akpeyi, Willard Katsande and Erick Mathoho are all suspended for this game after picking up cards during the Soweto derby win against Pirates. Akpeyi and Katsande received their fourth yellow cards, while Mathoho was red-carded in the match.
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