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Winners & Losers GFXGOAL
Sthembiso Nkabinde

Mbatha, Shalulile impress for Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns while Chivaviro fires blanks for Kaizer Chiefs! The weekend’s biggest winners and losers

GOAL looks at the winners and losers from the weekend’s action while also shining the spotlight on SA talent abroad.

It was another weekend to forget for one of South Africa’s traditional giants, Kaizer Chiefs, as they continue to battle inconsistency.

Amakhosi were hoping for back-to-back wins as they confronted Golden Arrows in a PSL clash, but they came unstuck.

Meanwhile, former Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane, now in charge at AmaZulu alongside Vusumuzi Vilakazi, fared much better as his Usuthu side edged out Magesi FC.

Out in Bloemfontein, high-flying Cape Town City and Mushin Ertugral were brought back down to earth after their impressive back-to-back wins over Soweto giants Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

And as was the case last week, Mzansi had three clubs doing duty on the continent with Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup.

All three clubs managed to secure victories in their respective matches as they all but confirmed passage to the next stage of the competition.

Here, GOAL looks at what transpired at the weekend locally and around the continent.

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  • Thalente Mbatha, Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    WINNER: Orlando Pirates

    The Soweto giants secured their place in the knockout round of the Champions League following a convincing 2-1 victory over Algerian side CR Belouizdad at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

    It was a successful outing for Jose Riveiro’s men as goals by Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha were enough for Pirates to bag maximum points on home soil and seal passage to the next round.

    Bucs, who were reeling from a rare defeat to Cape Town City in the league in midweek, were back to their brilliant best as they produced an eye-catching display, capped by Mbatha’s thunderbolt strike.

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  • Ranga Chivaviro, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    LOSER: Ranga Chivaviro

    As Chiefs’ struggles under Tunisian mentor Nasreddine Nabi continue, one player who has not covered himself in glory is striker Ranga Chivaviro.

    The former Marumo Gallants frontman has been shooting blanks for the better part of his spell with the Glamour Boys and was once again at fault against Golden Arrows as his side went down 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

    With the January transfer window now open, Nabi, who has consistently bemoaned his side’s lack of a potent finisher, will undoubtedly be putting pressure on the powers that be for a quality striker to replace the likes of Chivaviro.

  • Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    WINNER: Peter Shalulile

    The Namibian striker has been playing a slightly different role this season, second fiddle to in-form forward Iqraam Rayners.

    That, though, has not deterred the former Highlands Park man as he has produced the goods whenever he has been asked upon.

    He was the hero in Sundowns’ last game as he came off the bench to score and was involved in the build-up to the decisive goal as the Brazilians secured a 2-1 win over Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa.

  • Khanyisa Mayo, CR Belouizdad, September 2024Backpagepix

    LOSER: Khanyisa Mayo

    It was an unhappy return to Mzansi for the Bafana Bafana international as he suffered defeat with his Belouizdad side at the hands of Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Sunday, going down 2-1.

    Mayo started the game, however, he was unable to make much of an impact as he was kept relatively quiet by Pirates’ stoic defence.

    The former Cape Town City striker would have been hoping to find the back of the net in his first game back in Mzansi since joining the Algerian giants, but the Pirates challenge proved too difficult.

  • Jayden Adams, Stellenbosch, September 2024.BackPagePix

    WINNER: Stellenbosch FC

    The Cape Winelands outfit made history after booking a place in the Confederation Cup last eight following a convincing win over Stade Malien on Sunday.

    They beat their opponents from Mali 2-0 in a match that was played at the Loftus Versfield Stadium, ensuring they progress to the knockout stages in their maiden appearance in the competition.

    Fawaaz Basadien and Sundowns-bound Jayden Adams were the scorers in Tshwane as Steve Barker’s men joined group leaders RSB Berkane in the next round.

  • Muhsin ErtugralGallo Images

    LOSER: Muhsin Ertugral

    The Turkish coach has had a dream return to the dugout with victories over Chiefs and Pirates in successive PSL matches, but his bubble has now been burst.

    His Cape Town City outfit suffered a surprising 1-0 loss to PSL strugglers Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

    He will be hoping the new coach bounce quickly returns to his side in their next outing and they regain their momentum.

  • Burnley FC v Cardiff City FC - Sky Bet ChampionshipGetty Images Sport

    WINNER: Lyle Foster

    After struggling with injuries of late, Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster is finally back in action and is slowly regaining his form and fitness.

    The talented South African was on target for his English club Burnley as they won 3-1 at Reading to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

    The 24-year-old former Orlando Pirates marksman latched on to Joe Bauress’ fine cross and found the back of the net in the 71st minute to help Burnley advance.

    It was Foster’s first goal for Burnley since he scored against Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship on August 31.

  • Bongani Zungu, AmaZulu, January 2025 AmaZulu

    WINNER: Bongani Zungu

    The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder finally made his debut for his new side AmaZulu on Saturday, and it was one to remember as he marked it with a goal.

    The experienced former Ranger star struck a firm low drive which beat the keeper to hand AmaZulu a much-needed win over Magesi FC.

    Zungu’s stellar display on the day earned him the Man of the Match accolade. He played for 62 minutes until he was replaced by Ethan Brooks.