Mlu Mdletshe discusses the state of play in the DStv Premiership’s top 6, comprising of Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows, SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Morokwa Swallows.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Mamelodi Sundowns have once again set the pace and taken flight early on in the season as they lead the pack by eight points ahead of the international break. Six wins from as many matches tells you just how far ahead Rhulani Mokwena’s men are compared to the rest of the division, and this is while the head coach insists that they still have room to improve. Sadly, they may be without star man Themba Zwane for a while after he sustained a deep cut to his upper right eye after a collision with Chiefs midfielder Yusuf Maart in 1-1 MTN8 draw at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
GOLDEN ARROWS
Shocking news coming out of the Golden Arrows camp this week as Vusumuzi Vilakazi confirmed his departure from the club – after serving as co-coach alongside Mabhuti Khenyeza since June 2022. Abafana Bes’thende started the season quite well and are second in the league after recording three wins against SuperSport United, Polokwane City and their provincial rivals Richards Bay FC. They have suffered just one loss where they were terribly hammered 4-0 by the defending champions Sundowns.
SUPERSPORT UNITED
Gavin Hunt’s men were hammered 3-0 by Golden Arrows in their last league match, and were leapfrogged by the Durban side as a result. They still sit level on 10 points with Arrows, and should be pleased by the consistent pressure they have put at the summit of the log. Individually, the likes of Ricardo Goss, Grant Margeman and Siyand Xulu have shown good enough displays to earn spots in Hugo Broos’ final Bafana squad to face Namibia and DR Congo.
ORLANDO PIRATES
The Sea Robbers are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions, and will go into the international break with just four games played where they have won two and lost one. Their opening matches have been highlighted by the incredible performances of new man Patrick Maswanganyi, and Zakhele Lepasa who has contributed 10 goals to their 18 score this season.
After the break, the Buccaneers have a date with Botswana side Galaxy in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on September 15 before hosting Sundowns in a mouth-watering DStv Premiership encounter four days later before welcoming Stellenbosch in their MTN8 semi-final second leg where they are carrying a 2-1 advantage.
KAIZER CHIEFS
Kaizer Chiefs finally got off the mark when they thrashed AmaZulu by 3-0 at home before also making lightwork of Stellenbosch four days later at the Athlone Stadium. It has been a rocky start to the hot seat for Molefi Ntseki, but after two successive league wins and a convincing display against Sundowns in the MTN8 semis, he too will welcome this international break and take time to polish a few aspects of their game.
MOROKA SWALLOWS
Morkoka Swallows also sit with seven points to their name after beating Sekhukhune United and then Cape Town Spurs in the league. They are a fighting team, determined to lift some silverware this season. Steve Komphela has had to deal with off-the-field issues of new signings Andile Jali, Gabadinho Mhango and Dumisane Zuma, who have a well-documented history of shenanigans.
They face a struggling Richards Bay side when league action resumes, before making the trip to the Winelands to face Stellenbosch four days later.