The 20-year-old Cemran Dansin was the big talking point after his magnificent goal for Orlando Pirates against Sundowns in the eventual 1-1 stalemate. Pirates were unable to capitalise on late scoring chances, but the other half of Soweto celebrated big after Kaizer Chiefs edged Durban City in Durban.
Yellow card fever strikes again
Inácio Miguel, Kaizer Chiefs’ Portuguese-born Angolan centre-back, has a habit of incurring referees’ displeasure, resulting in yellow cards. On Friday against Durban City, he picked up a fourth and will sit out the midweek game against newly promoted Orbit FC. Since his arrival, discipline has often been a concern for the 28-year-old, who faced two suspensions last season. Last November, he was sent off (as Chiefs’ captain) during a frustrating 4-0 defeat to Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals. At this rate of four yellows after 11 games, Miguel is on course to repeat or better last season’s two spells of suspension.
Sekhukhune needs a pick-up
Eric Tinkler’s Sekhukhune United badly needs a pick-up after suffering back-to-back league losses. They lost 1-0 to lowly Siwelele in Bloemfontein on Friday, and a few weeks earlier suffered their league defeat of the season at Polokwane City. Tinkler did not take kindly to questions about the slump post-match. Visibly agitated, he barked at a TV staffer: “What are you talking about? We didn’t lose the title, we didn’t lose a final. Why do we need a pick-up?”
Ivorian tops PSL goal scorers list
Ivorian Sédé Junior Dion moved to the top of the PSL’s leading goalscorers list after opening the scoring in Lamontville Golden Arrows’ 4-0 win over Marumo Gallants. His tally moved to six, one ahead of Bradley Grobler (Sekhukhune United) and Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns). If he continues in this vein, he will join other foreign-born players who have topped the PSL scoring charts, including Peter Shalulile (Namibia), Tico-Tico Bucuane (Mozambique), Collins Mbesuma (Zambia), and Khama Billiat and Wilfred Mugeyi (both Zimbabwe).
Pirates star ‘thrown from the tree’
Orlando Pirates’ Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou defended his decision to start 20-year-old Cemran Dansin against Sundowns. “It’s like a bird; if you don’t allow him to fly, you have to throw him from the tree to learn, and that’s what we did. We need to put him in and give him experience,” said Ouaddou, adding that the best way to develop young players is by fielding them in a game, not leaving them on the bench.
Cardoso hot under the collar
If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso thought otherwise during Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash. He changed his sweaty T-shirts twice during the match, starting in navy, then grey, and finishing in white, while pacing up and down the touchline. Colour may reflect moods, and when Cardoso wore a blue top at the post-match press conference, it signalled he would maintain a calm demeanour. Alas, it was the opposite when irritated by claims he was a “defensive coach.” He responded: “It’s bullshit!” He later apologised, but he’s clearly been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.
