Mamelodi Sundowns got the better of Kaizer Chiefs to stay on course for an unprecedented eighth successive Betway Premiership title.
Saturday’s victory at Atteridgeville saw Sundowns stretch their lead at the top of the standings, although chasing Orlando Pirates have games in hand, while Chiefs remained stuck in eighth place, having now lost two in a row.
A sellout crowd had plenty to savour in an exciting clash that saw Sundowns make it six league wins in a row over AmaKhosi.
This is what we learnt from the encounter:
RIBEIRO IS THE NEW THEMBA ZWANE
Not only did he net a candidate for goal of the year, with a half volley that almost broke the back of net, but Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro dictate the Sundowns attack.
𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭? 🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 1, 2025
King Ribeiro nails a 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 🤯⚽
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/hHXssn5gZa
He is fulfilling the role vacated by talisman Themba Zwane, who has been out all season with a serious knee injury.
With Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shaulile on either side of him, Ribeiro is able to show a wide range of skills, both as creator and finisher.
He is top contender to be named as the best player in the league as well as take home the top goal scorer award.
WILLIAMS'S INJURY CONCERN
When Ronwen Williams missed the match against Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on 19 February, it was said a minor injury was keeping him from playing and he would be back for the next game against TS Galaxy.
So it was a surprise when Jody February stood in goal in the next game, ahead of Williams and suspended Dennis Onyango.
Williams since missed the midweek win over Sekhukhune United and the clash against Chiefs, suggesting the injury is more serious that Sundowns had initially let on.
He has been battling with a back complaint that now threatens his inclusion in the South African squad to take on Lesotho and Benin in World Cup qualifiers later this month.
CHIEFS' LEFT BACK PROBLEM
Bradley Cross was bought from Lamontville Golden Arrows at the start of the season to be the first choice left back and made a strong impression in his first months at the club but his shares have plunged dramatically over the last weeks.
He was not picked to play in the derby against Pirates last month as Nasreddine Nabi went for a more defensive line-up and used Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, usually a centre back, instead as a makeshift left back.
Cross returned for Chiefs’ pervious game against SuperSport United but was skinned several times in an embarrassing 4-1 loss.
With Ditlhokwe since sold to Libya, Chiefs instead gambled on Mozambican Edmilson, making his return from injury for the first time since May, to play at left back, leaving Cross with much to reflect on if he is going to get back into the team.
AMAKHOZI FIGHT
Chiefs have not had a great season, even after appointing a new coach and bringing in an extensive north African coaching team.
There is doubt over whether Nasreddine Nabi and his assistants are capable of turning around the club’s fortunes.
But what will have pleased fans was the fighting spirit that the Chiefs’ players showed in the game, in which they had several good chances and could easily have come away with a share of the spoils.