DERBY, SHE IS A DRAW!

Yet again the Ghost was outnumbered by the peace loving Amakhosi by far. In fact the Pirates had to look around the stadium for their followers before they could perform the traditional salute. It was the well supported Kaizer Chiefs that kicked off the Golden Derby and it was the team in black and gold that enjoyed more of the possession in the opening moments of the match. It took all of thirty seconds for Chiefs to get the first free kick of the game, a minute later Pirates were also awarded a free kick. Both set pieces were wasted. In a very frustrating opening stanza for the Bucs, the midfield duo of Andile Jali and Isaac Chansa kept on losing possession with rather unusual wayward passing. Ruud Kroll told the press that they had spent the past week talking about not allowing the Chiefs` full backs to overlap and put in crosses. His players were obviously not listening or it could be they are still not used to his Dutch accent. Whatever it was, the men in white went to sleep in the eleventh minute and the overlapping Tau sent in a cross which was met by the much maligned Kaizer Motaung Jnr. First Blood Chiefs! The noise that greeted the goal could be heard in the surrounding cities.

The staging of a U2 concert in the world cup stadium did not help the derby as the pitch looked awful. As Mr Krol put it after the match, “A top match needs a top pitch and today the pitch was not top”. The pitch had nothing to do with Katlego Mashego hitting the ball across the goal when a pass could have resulted in an easy tap in for an unmarked Isaac Chansa. The Zambian let his greedy teammate know that he was less than impressed with him. In the 25th minute we had the first of two Pitch Fix breaks. Chiefs continued to see more of the ball, aided by those poor passing Pirates midfieders. The two Amakhosi central defenders had an easy time shutting down the isolated Mashego. National asset, Simpiwe Tshabalala looked like he was going to score a photocopy of that famous world cup goal until Oupa Manyesa spoilt the moment with a very good block.

If the first half belonged to the peace lovers, then the second half belonged to the Sea Robbers and Itumeleng Khune. Within the first minute after the restart he had to be alert to save a goal bound prod from Mahamootsa after a corner kick melee in the box. Then he had to be big to save a Mongala shot looked a sure bet to be the equalizer. Mahamootsa was causing problems with his long throw ins which had our number one goalkeeper punching, flapping and flying for a good part of the second half. The pressure also resulted in a yellow card for captain, Jimmy Tau. Referee brought attention to himself by waiving away a Pirates penalty appeal in the 69th minute. The second pitch fix break allowed Ruud Kroll to urge his players for more of the same. Impact player, Mark Mayambela was introduced to almost instant success. He definitely brings something different to the Pirates game every time he comes on. Some neat interpassing led to Happy Jele running off in celebration after putting the ball in the net. He obviously did not see Damon running towards the 18 area with his left hand pointing to the sky. It was ruled offside. Jele got off his knees and made sure the assistant referee knew that he got it that one wrong, brandishing a finger at the party spoiling official. Chiefs were now playing the Hoof and Hope type of football as the Bucs boys sensed blood. The Amakhosi bench started ringing in the time consuming substitutes with Tshabalala limping off instead of using the much faster stretcher. Yende replaced him and Musona was pulled out for Abia Nale. Orlando Pirates and Thulasizwe Mbuyane in particular have a made a tradition of scoring goals very late in games this season. Deep into injury time, with the Amakhosi PRO and 85 000 fans already celebrating, Mbuyane rose to head home a Ndumiso Mabhena cross. The noise levels broke through the sound barrier as The Ghost had the last laugh and celebrated the draw as if it was their biggest win of the season. Even the coach had to be corrected by his counterpart after calling the result a win. Man of the match, Khune was inconsolable as he made his way to the interview area. It might as well have been a loss!

A LOOK INTO THE CHRIS-tal BALL!!!

PICK OF THE WEEK :




ORLANDO PIRATES vs MAMELODI SUNDOWNS



Will Teko play? If he plays, will he score? If he scores, will he celebrate?Will Katlego Mphela will be there? Will Sundowns have a new coach? If you answered yes to any of these extremely irrelevent questions, then you are looking forward to this top of the table clash! If my rich neighbours lose, then winning the Nedbank Cup will be their hope of silverware this season. I can tell you that I am looking forward to at least one red card and a lot of oohs and aahs. Mushekwi versus Mahamootsa! Teko versus Andile! Tlou versus Method Mwanjali! Yes, idiski! The rich need these three points, getting them will not be easy!



A DRAW.



SANTOS vs AJAX CAPE TOWN



The “ No Smoking inside the stadium” rule will be broken over and over and over again in this fixture. The community of the Mother City love their puffs! The smoke will deter Ajax from running at the stubborn Santos defence in search of bragging rights and the small matter of three points that will keep them in touch with those Gauteng teams above them. Ajax are starting to look like the real deal and Santos are going about their business as steadily as only “The People`s team” can. Do not expect a lot goals in this one.



A NARROW AJAX CAPE WIN.



GOLDEN ARROWS vs BLOEMFONTEIN CELTICS



Those singing fans will be hoping for more of the same from Spandeel and company! The passion is there, the hunger is there! On recent form the Siwelele should be able to sing all the way back to the Free State with three points in the bag. I can , however tell you that it is not easy to get points from the s`thende boys these days. Those long balls to Paulse will have to be very accurate if Celtic are to get joy out of their Durban trip. Of course they must watch out for that rather stocky Zambian arrow!



GOLDEN ARROWS WIN.



MOROKA SWALLOWS vs MARITZBURG UNITED



I wonder if the Dube Birds` supporters will striker and hit the gates again if the team loses this one. These supporters celebrated like they`d won the Mainstay Cup when they got a win at Wits but such is the nature of football, they now find themselves on the brink of another vocal strike. The club has gone deep into the Sundowns` reservior of players to try and beef up the squad. This game is what we call a six pointer in football circles and whoever loses can start looking forward to the relegation playoffs!



MOROKA SWALLOWS WIN.



PLATINUM STARS vs KAIZER CHIEFS



Stars will be playing in front of the biggest crowd they have had for a home game all season. About twenty of them will be their own backers. By the time this game kicks off the Amakhosi will be knowing how points they will be needing in this game and the re arranged one during the week. They will have the result of the Bucs and Downs match. This can prove to be a distraction and it will be up to Platinum Stars to capitalise and silence the peace loving, loud supporters.



THE RESULT WILL DEPEND ON WHO WINS ON SATURDAY!



VASCO DA GAMA vs MPUMALANGA BLACK ACES



Those Clever Boys from the university in Johannesburg gave Vasco team a reality check of the highest order. Just to remind us all that the Cricket World Cup is upon us, Wits hit Vasco for six! This is the time to show their mettle and arise from their fall and score six of their own against a team low on points. Whatever happened to that team that beat Pirates and Swallows?!?? Vasco could also capitalise on the very short tempered group of players being assembled by the bald headed one. These players that have not been seeing a lot action, a lot of pent up frustration.



VASCO DA GAMA WIN.

Musona Scoops Player Of The Month Award

KNOWLEDGE SCOOPS THE PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD

Johannesburg- Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol and Knowledge Musona of Kaizer Chiefs have emerged as the two big winners as the respective Absa Premiership Coach of the Month and Absa Premiership Player of the month for the December and January period.

The announcement was made at the Premier Soccer League offices in Parktown.

Knowledge Musona got the nod as the Absa Premiership Player of the month after scoring some crucial goals for Amakosi during the voting period. His efforts in front of goal have kept Chiefs in the title race and he has shown a knack of scoring crucial goals when it matters. He most notably rescued a point for Chiefs in Bloemfontein when a goal in injury time gave them a share of the spoils. His goal ratio in December was equally impressive and he kept on scoring vital goals.

“He is a true predator in front of goal, but he has also set up a number of goals for his teammates. He has become a real team player and that should be truly celebrated”, said one of the judging panel.

But it was a close run affair: Lehlohonolo Majoro of Amazulu was equally impressive as he plundered some crucial goals during the judging period while Thulani Serrero of Ajax Cape Town was at the heart of the Urban Warriors charge towards the top of the league table.

Steward Masela, Absa Sponsorship Manager, congratulated the respective winners. “Well done to everyone. The current Absa Premiership season has turned out to be one of the most exciting ever and we have seen some extraordinary performances. This only adds to what I am sure will be an exciting end to the season”

Premier Soccer League CEO, Kjetil Siem, also added his congratulations.

“I’ve been impressed by the quality of football and individual performances that we have seen up until now in the Absa Premiership. The monthly winners are certainly doing the League, their clubs as well as themselves proud and I must thank Absa for providing exciting incentives,” said the Norwegian.

At this rate the young Zimbabwean will a bigger room to keep all his awards!

IAN GOROWA NAMED CARETAKER COACH



In a dramatic turn of events,Zimbwabwean Ian Gorowa has taken over the reigns at glamour club Mamelodi Sundowns as caretaker coach. After months as the visible second in command Gorowa was thrust into the role of head coach after the resignation of Antonio Habas on Saturday morning.



Ian Gorowa is no stranger to the job of head coach as he has coached Moroka Swallows before. Mr Gorowa is the first Zimbabwean coach to take over at the Chloorkop based club. At the time of the change of regime Sundowns find themselves seating in fourth place on the PSL log. The club having come from a 2 nil win away to Moroka Swallows with fellow countryman Nyasha Mushekwi and Method Mwanjali finding the net. Mwanjali`s goal was something to savour as the national captain ran a full half football pitch before unleashing a low left footed shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Mushekwi`s goal was the sixth of the season as he has now become the number one striker after the disappearance of Katlego Mphela. Nyasha is now hot on the heels of red hot countryman, Knowledge Musona who is out injured. Mushekwi has now scored six goals compared to Musona`s ten.

BIDVEST WITS TOO CLEVER FOR DEFENDING CHAMPS.

Kermit Eramus looked like he was either in prayer or planning something just before kick off. Just to see if his prayer had been answered, the diminutive striker tried to beat the Wits goalkeeper straight from the kick off. The audacious shot was high and wide.

This game was moved from the Lucas Morepe Stadium to the much larger Loftus Stadium making it look like the game had been ordered to be played behind closed doors.

The first three minutes produced much better football than the whole ninety minutes of the first round match between these two sides. Bidvest Wits enjoyed the bulk of the possession with quick passes and some good flank play. De Sa`s decision to start Myeni in central midfielder instead of his usual position out on the left seemed to be paying off as he caused a lot distress for the United midfield and defense. There is a reason why Morgan Gould played the ball straight to the feet of first timer Bongolethu Jeyayi to skip past Rowan Fernandez and slot the ball into an empty net. Only Morgan knows why he played the ball to an opposition player. Gavin Hunt mentioned after the match that his team has been doing this all season.

The Students were all over the defending champions, at one point earning three consecutive corners. One of these corners surprised all as it kept low and crept past the defense and Fernandez needed two takes to get the ball under his control. United then went on the attack which ended with a foot save from Keet. Dipsy Sololoane bringing the best out of the keeper with a low left footed shot. Kurt Erasmus made life easy for the Wits goalkeeper with a very weak header on 27 minutes. George Maluleke did beat Keet with a ferocious shot from a free kick in the 30th minute but the crossbar was having none of it! The flaying Kleet was hit by the ball on the rebound, luckily for him it went out for a throw in. A few minutes later Myeni released the debutant with a delicious through ball, the young man took two touches and beat an advancing Fernandez for his second of the night. His coach later joked that every time they had given a young man a chance, they had done well. “We will have to find one for the next match.” the coach laughed.

Rodger did not spend the second half laughing or smiling as Supersport came out fighting and firing. Their pressure told as they pulled one back through a debutant of their own. Hartog had come on to replace the injured Mario Booysens late in the first half and found himself at the end of a Erasmus cross putting the ball past Keet with a wonderful diving header. From that point on it was wave after wave of Supersport attacks but Wits held on with Keet doing his bit to keep the score positive for his team.

George Maluleke had a few free kicks to try and change the fortunes of his club but decided on using the rugby system of scoring. This meant that Bidvest Wits could collect a very valuable three points.