PSL Round 20: Five on-field talking points from the Premiership

After the latest round of PSL fixtures, below are the major talking points from the weekend’s action and five things we learnt from the matches.

Five on-field talking points from round 20 of PSL

1. SuperSport can replace furman

With the news that Dean Furman will be leaving SuperSport United in June at the end of his contract to try to find a new club in England (as confirmed by CEO, Stan Matthews) it will leave a void in the squad. Against Chippa United on Friday, they were without their captain for unknown reasons, so Ugandan midfielder Moses Waiswa made his debut.

This saw Teboho Mokoena play in the holding role for the first time, and his passing from deeper areas gave SuperSport good penetration on transitions in particular. With Jamie Webber impressing in his outings over the last 12 months and Sipho Mbule absolutely outstanding in some matches this season, the future looks bright in the engine room.

There was also a debut for Jesse Donn in the second half and he brings a calm quality with his left foot. There is no doubt that losing Furman will be a loss in terms of quality and leadership, but there are some very bright some stars waiting to step in the void.

2. Manyama steps forward

Kaizer Chiefs burgled the three points against Golden Arrows with a 93^rd minute goal on Saturday in a game where they created almost no clear openings in the face of compact, narrow Steve Komphela side. For Chiefs to be 10 points clear in a season where Khama Billiat has contributed so little to the cause is remarkable and says a lot for the displays of Manyama.

This was his 5^th league goal and he tops the PSL’s assist charts too thanks largely to his dead-ball delivery. Ernst Middendorp inherited a player carrying extra weight and a shadow of his former self, but a good preseason and a central role have seen Manyama deliver an excellent campaign thus far.

Kaizer Chiefs issue hands off warning over starlet

3. Stellenbosch heading for PSL safety

After a third win on the bounce, Stellenbosch are heading for that magical 30 points mark and survival in the top division. A goal from Ovidy Karuru, bizarrely released by relegation rivals, AmaZulu and another clean sheet brought the three points against Polokwane City.

Some shrewd January business to get Karuru on board, and to bring in veteran defensive midfielder, Granwald Scott – allowing Robyn Johannes to revert to his best position in central defence – has made a big difference to the core of the side. In goal, it was a big call to drop Dutchman, Boy de Jong and recall Lee Langeveldt, but back-to-back clean sheets have justified that decision.

4. Bucs re-born under Zinnbauer and Davids

Since the appointment of Joe Zinnbauer and the greater responsibility on his assistant, Fadlu Davids, Pirates have looked a different side. They are defending really well both in a deep block and when higher up the pitch, there is more directness to their play, whilst even Thembinkosi Lorch is showing glimpses of the player he was last season.

A genuine title charge this season is probably a tough ask, but they are not too far off Mamelodi Sundowns in second spot and could make a push for second spot and CAF Champions League qualification.

5. Riekerink sorts out City defence

Back-to-back PSL wins for Cape Town City have eased their relegation fears and no one at the club will care one jot about the performances right now as long as they pick up points.

Jan Olde Riekerink’s attacking philosophy has not quite taken shape yet, but defensively, he has City looking much more solid. Saturday’s clean sheet was their fifth in the last nine games with the presence of the outstanding Roland Putsche in front of the back four a major boon as the season reaches it’s climax.