Last-minute shuffle makes PSL fans wait
FOUR Premier Soccer League matches that were set to take place this weekend, were postponed by the league in a last-minute shuffle on Thursday night, including the potential title-influencing tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United.
Monday’s game between AmaZulu and Lamontville Golden Arrows, which would have had deep implications in the fight to avoid automatic relegation, was also moved.
Fans will have to wait until Tuesday May 6 for the title-deciding clashes, while Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars get given time in between to catch up on their games in hand.
Amakhosi, who are five points behind log-leaders Sundowns, will catch up their remaining game in hand against Free State this Wednesday hoping to push matters to the final two fixtures.
Despite shuffling the fixtures like a Lego puzzle, the PSL has allowed Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars to take each other on at Orlando Stadium at 3pm today.
Although there is hardly anything at stake, except a potential spot in the top eight for Platinum Stars, this should be the season’s bloodiest grudge match.
The Buccaneers have a score to settle with Dikwena after the men from North West beat them in two cup finals towards the back end of last year.
Dikwena snatched the MTN8 and the Telkom Knockout from Pirates’ clutches, who were a fine outfit under then coach Roger de Sa.
Influential players Oupa Manyisa and Happy Jele are back for the Sea Robbers as they look to exact some sort of vengeance, although an almost inconsequential league win would not heal their wounds.
The pair missed the 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic at the Free State Stadium last Monday, where the Buccaneers were chased to all parts of the field by a spirited Celtic.
The downside is that daredevil Rooi Mahamutsa has been ruled out of action, meaning coach Vladimir Vermezovic will once again shuffle the backline in search of a suitable central defence combination.
Pirates are fifth on the log, an unflattering position for the former champions, but they can climb to fourth with a win today.
Platinum Stars have somewhat lost their way since winning two trophies.
They have lost five of their last seven league games.
It could be because of the uncertainty behind Freese’s job security, who constantly has to check if he still has a job, or injuries to key men Henrico Botes, Mogakolodi Ngele and Lindokuhle Mbhatha in that period.
Ngele and Mbhatha returned to action in the 4-1 loss to Arrows but there was no sign of Botes’ recovery. Former Pirates striker Takesure Chinyama is also sidelined.
In the only other game of the weekend, Free State Stars take on Mpumalanga Black Aces with eyes fixed firmly on putting distance between themselves and Arrows at the foot of the log.
Ea Lla Koto are just three points ahead of Arrows, who are in the automatic relegation position, but they have two games in hand on their rivals and have to make them count.