Stuttering Mamelodi Sundowns give Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs hope in PSL title race
The race for the coveted trophy is wide open as the halfway point of the current season approaches.
The race for the 2020/21 PSL title took another turn on Saturday as Swallows FC held defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns to a draw.
Sundowns had an opportunity to open a three-point lead at the top of the league standings and send a warning to the rest of the league that they won’t give up their title without a fight.
However, Masandawana dropped points for the third time in two weeks as it was their third successive 0-0 draw and this has given the chasing pack some hope that they can rival Manqoba Mngqithi’s side for the championship.
As the halfway point of the current campaign approaches with 13 games played by most teams, Sundowns are level on points with second-placed Swallows, the surprise package of the season.
It remains to be seen whether newly promoted Swallows, who have been relying on in-form striker Ruzaigh Gamiliden for goals, have what it takes to keep up their charge for this season’s top-flight league trophy.
The top seven teams are separated by only 10 points with a resurgent Kaizer Chiefs side currently occupying seventh spot on the log.
Chiefs, who were beaten to the league trophy by Sundowns on the last day of last season, are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run at the moment having won three of their last four games.
The return of Amakhosi’s star striker Samir Nurkovic will be key to the Glamour Boys’ ambitions of challenging for the most coveted trophy in South African football.
Chiefs are under the guidance of one of the most successful coaches in the country, Gavin Hunt – a four-time PSL title-winning tactician, and the Soweto giants cannot be ruled out of the race.
While three-time PSL champions SuperSport United are only three points behind the leading pack and their coach Kaitano Tembo has made it known that they will be competing for the championship this term.
Matsatsantsa are not going anywhere in the race with free-scoring Bradley Grobler leading their charge for the trophy and the prolific marksman is averaging almost a goal per match in the league.
Golden Arrows and Cape Town City are placed fifth and sixth respectively on the standings, but they are expected to fall away in the race as they lack the quality to challenge for the championship.
SuperSport’s Gauteng rivals, Orlando Pirates, who were touted as Sundowns’ main rivals for the title prior to the start of the current campaign, are six points behind the leading pack.
The reigning MTN8 champions endured a mini bad patch as they suffered a defeat to Black Leopards, before being held to a draw to unbeaten Arrows.
Bucs returned to winning ways against Maritzburg United on Saturday, but Josef Zinnbauer’s side will be hoping that strikers Frank Mhango, Zakhele Lepasa and Tshegofatso Mabasa return from their respective injuries as soon as possible.
It leaves all to play for in January and February featuring some mouthwatering head-to-heads including the Soweto Derby clash featuring the two giants of local football, Chiefs and Pirates.
The Buccaneers are set to host Amakhosi at the Mecca of South African football, Orlando Stadium on January 30.
While SuperSport will look to end Swallows’ unbeaten start to the current season when the two teams meet at Lucas Moripe Stadium on January 30.
On the other hand, Sundowns have winnable fixtures coming up against teams in the bottom half on the standings starting with a clash with Black Leopards on January 27.
Matches against Baroka FC, Chippa United and Maritzburg will then follow and it will be a chance for Sundowns to open a gap at the top of the log and try to maintain it until the end of the season.
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