Winners and Losers: Camren Dansin rewards faith, Sihle Nduli stands tall for Orlando Pirates, while Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bathusi Aubaas misses the mark

Nduli’s performance for Pirates was nothing short of courageous. He absorbed multiple high-velocity impacts to the chest, threw himself into blocks and never once flinched from the physical demands of the match. Beyond the bruises, he was tactically sharp, breaking up play, covering space and rallying the backline.  

In the opening minutes, Modiba picked up a yellow card that felt more impulsive than tactical.    

With the game still finding its flow, Modiba’s early caution limited his ability to press and challenge with full intensity, leaving his flank vulnerable and his influence muted.

Shalulile’s instinct in front of goal remains unmatched. The Namibian forward found space where none seemed available, timed his run to perfection and buried the opener with clinical precision. His movement off the ball, his hunger in the box and his ability to convert half-chances continue to make him one of the most feared strikers in the league. 

Stepping in for the suspended Teboho Mokoena, Aubaas was handed a pivotal role in midfield; expected to anchor transitions, dictate tempo and offer defensive cover. But the weight of expectation seemed to dull his edge. Where Mokoena brings urgency, vision and bite, Aubaas struggled to stamp his authority. 

With coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his technical team placing their trust in the youngster, Dansin spectacularly rose to the occasion. His equalising goal was not only technically brilliant, it was emotionally charged.   

It cancelled out Shalulile’s opener and shifted the momentum. Dansin’s composure, timing and execution showed maturity beyond his years and his celebration said it all: this was a moment he’d been preparing for, and he delivered. 

The atmosphere had been electric; fans in full voice, the stadium pulsing with energy. But as the match wore on and contentious calls piled up, frustration began to boil over. In the dying stages, a small section of the crowd resorted to throwing bottles onto the pitch, a jarring contrast to the earlier celebrations.  

It was a disappointing lapse in decorum that marred an otherwise spirited showing. Passion is part of the game, but respect must remain its foundation.