But it was the visitors who almost opened the scoring on the 20th minute when Sedwin George hit the upright from an unmarked position inside the box.

Two minutes later the floodgates were opened when Cassius Mailula scored the first goal of the match after exchanging passes with Neo Maema.

Sundowns increased the lead without putting too much effort when Royal AM goalkeeper, Xolani Ngcobo, failed to control Ricardo Nasciemento’s back pass for an own goal.

With three minutes remaining before the interval, Peter Shalulile scored his tenth league of the season. The Namibian completed his brace six minutes after the break hitting a half volley after Ruzaigh Gamildin failed to clear Aubrey Modiba’s corner kick.

Midway through the second half, Latshene Phalene unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit.

And it was it was Mothobi Mvala who scored the fifth with a header to give his side a well-deserved 5-1 win.

“They could have scored first, we made one mistake at the back,” Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena told Supersport after the match.

“The first ten to fifteen minutes was box-to-box – we created chances that side, they created few chances, Mthobi [Mvala] slipped a little bit but Grant [Kekana] was very good.

“But were so close from keeping a clean sheet and great strike by Phalane. But I’m so proud of the players and congratulations to them. I’m super proud. It’s unbelievable what these players are doing and they deserve a lot more praise than they get. Some of the goals, they scored some incredible goals.”

*Image courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns

The two sides met in Algeria a week ago where goals from Abderrahmane Meziane and Zinnedine Belaid were enough to secure the home side a 2-0 win.

Raymond Mdaka made one change from the team that lost 2-0 with EdgarManaka dropped to the bench in favour of Lucky Mohomi.

The visitors also made one change with Meziane, who scored the first goal relegated to the bench for defender Haithem Loucif.

On the seventh minute, Mohomi wins the ball inside his own half and makes a great solo run through the USM Alger defence before laying a perfect pass into the path of Lesiba Nku. Nku opens himself up before planting the ball into the back of the net with his left foot.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ranga Chivavairo’s thunderous is well saved by goalkeeper Ousama Benbot.

But with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, Benbot makes a double save from Chivavairo and Monde Mphambaniso but fails to stop Letsie Koapeng’s tap in.

The win takes take Maruo Gallants on top Group A with 9 points after four matches.

Kaizer Chiefs have conceded 20 league goals this season and the Botswana international will join next season to beef up the defence.

“Kaizer Chiefs are delighted to announce the signing of a pre-contract securing the acquisition of left-sided centre-back, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, from SuperSport United,” said the club in a statement.

Jail has only played 17 minutes in Sundowns’ last six matches with coach Rulani Mokwena opting for Tebogo Mokoena, Neo Maema, Sipho Mbule, Gaston Sirino and Marcelo Allende.

Despite media reports linking the midfielder away from Chloorkop, Mbuyane is in doubt that Jali will not leave.

“Sundowns have Mbule, Maema and Mokoena in midfield but I believe Jali can still do the job because he is a seasoned campaigner,” says Mbuyane who played with Jali at Pirates.

“They still need go to Africa for the Caf Champions League and they will play a lot of games. Fatigue will come into play and players like Jali will be needed. Sundowns needs a leader on the field and Jali has been there and done that. He can do well even in the DStv Premiership.

He is a matured player and has played so many years in his career. He won’t feel bad if he misses a few matches here and there.

If the team is winning it’s better that you don’t make too many changes and he understands that. You can’t change the way Sundowns plays to suit Jali, the players that are playing are doing well.

He needs to raise up his hands and show the coach that he is still there. He has a lot to offer Sundowns and the coaches still believe in him.”

Sundowns will kick off their Caf Champions League group stage fixtures at home to Al Hilal on February 10 before back-to-back away fixtures against Coton Sport in Cameroon and Al Ahly in Egypt.

“Africa is different, you will need strong men with experience,” Mbuyane adds.

“In Africa, you will get bad hotels, bad transportation system and if you have seasoned campaigners who understand that you have to go there and fight for three, then you will succeed.

That is when Jali will need to bring his experience, slow the game down and frustrate the opponents. Younger players want to play but stages of the game are different.”

Ali Meza and Cross will join the Team of Choice on permanent deals whilst Peprah arrives on loan from Orlando Pirates, the club said in a statement.

Maritzburg United are lying at the bottom of the PSL log table with 14 points from 15 matches and the club has already acquired the services of Wayde Jooste and Rafiq de Goede to try to save the team from relegation.

MARITZBURG UNITED PSL RECORD:

2005: Tembisa Classic sold to owners of Maritzburg United and relocated to Pietermaritzburg.

2005/06:
Position: 14
Points: 30

2006/07
Position: 16 (Relegated to the National First Division)
Points: 21

2007/08:
Promoted to the PSL as First Division Champions

2008/09
Position: 12
Points: 36

2009/10
Position: 11
Points: 35

2010/11
Position: 12
Points: 33

2011/12
Position: 11
Points: 34

2012/13
Position: 11
Points: 39

2013/14
Position: 10
Points: 38

2014/15
Position: 8
Points: 40

2015/16
Position: 14
Points: 27

2016/17
Position: 7
Points: 38

2017/18
Position: 4
Points: 44

2018/19
Position: 15 (PlayOffs)
Points: 27

2019/20
Position: 7
Points: 42

2020/21
Position: 13
Points: 30

2021/22
Position: 12
Points: 31

Amakhosi’s relationship with Kappa started in 1989 and lasted until 1996.

“We are excited to team up with Kappa once again, a brand with which Kaizer Chiefs set new records and established itself as trendsetters in African football in the early 1990s.

“Kappa, like Kaizer Chiefs, is a unique brand of style and class and one of the key players in the global football kit space.

“Kappa have had great partnerships with some of the world’s leading football clubs, as well as a number of local teams over the years.

This deal is not only an acknowledgment of our past but also an exciting leap into the future for the club,” says Kaizer Chiefs marketing and commercial director, Jessica Motaung.

The new partnership follows the parting of ways between Chiefs and Nike at the end of the 2022/23 season.

“It’s important to thank Nike for the partnership since 2000. It’s uncommon for partnerships to last for over 20 years, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have enjoyed a relationship with one of the world’s leading sports brands,” adds Motaung.

Lionel Scaloni’s side kicked off the tournament with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. In the second match, the two-time world champions beat Mexico 2-0 and avoided the embarrassment of first round elimination.

In the final group match against Poland, it was Alexis McAllister, who opened the scoring with his first international goal just after half-time.

Julian Alvarez put matters beyond doubt when he scored with a with a curling a shot into the corner. Despite the defeat, Poland will join finished as group runners up thanks to their superior goal difference over a Mexico side who also finished on four points.

Argentina will face Australia in the round of 16 while Poland takes on France.

According to head coach Rhulani Mokwena, players who are nursing injuries didn’t get a two-week break as the club’s medical department was working hard to accelerate their recovery.

“They are honest players – they are all professionals. They are people that we appreciate because there was no whinging or whining,” Mokwena said.

“Players like Bongani Zungu, Marcelo Allende, Gift Motupa, and Sipho Mbule stayed behind and worked harder on their physical conditioning.

The medical department and the physical trainer also sacrificed their time by not going on holiday. That is the spirit of Mamelodi Sundowns, the selflessness, and the ability to put the club first.

Some players come from injuries like Terrence Mashego, Abubbeker Nasir, Hashim Domingo, and Peter Shalulile… we are trying to accelerate their recovery so that by the time the league resumes, we are able to have an extensive list of players to choose from.”

*Image courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns Twitter account.

Speaking to Touchline News, the five-time league champion believes that former players do not get enough coaching opportunities.

“As ex-professional players, we are not getting opportunities because people feel threatened when they employ us,” says the former player.

“You can see that it’s hurting our football when legends are not involved in the game – we have the same dilemma at the national team level because how many ex-professional players are involved with youth teams?

You can’t tell me that we are incapable of doing the job. European countries like Germany, England, and Netherlands have ex- professionals involved in the game. What about us?”

The 45-year-old has been unemployed since parting ways with Cape Town All Stars two years ago and is considering working abroad if the opportunity presents itself.

“Benni McCarthy was fired by Amazulu and he is now at Manchester United, Quinton Fortune is working in Mexico [for Deportivo Guadalajara] and Bradley Carnell is in America [Major League Soccer] working for a big team.

If we can’t employ our former players, who played the game at the highest level, and prefer to bring in coaches from outside – what is the plan for our ex-players then?

No disrespect to coaches who come from abroad – why are we not using our people? Look at all the African countries at the FIFA World Cup – it’s all ex-players. And what is stopping us from doing the same when we have all the experience in the world?

We are always complaining that we don’t have strikers. Where are Mark Williams, Pollen Ndlanya, and Shaun Bartlett? Why can’t we employ them on our national teams? What about Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish?

If we don’t wake-up we will not qualify for another World Cup. I’m also looking outside the country because there is no work for me in South Africa. I recently went to Ghana, and if I find a
job there – I’m out. Since I lost my job during the Covid 19 pandemic I haven’t had a job and it’s not just me. Many ex- professionals who are not coaching.”