Weekend talking points: Kaizer Chiefs win comes at heavy price for Swallows FC

There were six PSL league games last weekend as well as two Caf Confederation Cup matches which saw a win for Orlando Pirates and a 1-0 defeat for Marumo Gallants away to DR Congo heavyweights TP Mazembe.

Despite leading Swallows back to the top-flight after a five-year absence, Swallows head coach Brandon Truter as well as his entire technical team were effectively fired by the club on Sunday night having slipped to the bottom of the standings after losing to Chiefs.

The Birds have won only one of 12 league matches this term and just two of 32 league games, stretching back to last season.

While it was a tough day for Swallows, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was happy with his side’s performance in their 3-1 win. It means the Soweto giants have won five of their last seven games, and especially pleasing will be the good form of Khama Billiat, Keagan Dolly and Bernard Parker.

Chiefs’ rise up the standings has been helped by the stuttering form of their nearest rivals – Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United both lost while SuperSport United and AmaZulu drew their matches. There was, however, a win for Royal AM – their victory over Stellies means the KZN side are third on 21 points, just one behind the Glamour Boys.

After a tough period with some poor results, Pirates bounced back in fine style last week with two emphatic victories – following their 3-0 league win over Stellenbosch, the Sea Robbers recorded a 2-0 victory over LPRC Oilers in the Caf Confederation Cup, away in Liberia. Two clean sheets for the week, and having the strikers and attacking midfielders in amongst the goals, is a big plus for Bucs.

After uncharacteristically dropping four points in two matches, Sundowns were back to winning ways on the weekend with their 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune. The Brazilians are now a hefty eight points above second-placed Chiefs, with a game in hand, and even the sending off of goalkeeper Denis Onyango won’t be of great concern thanks to their star-studded squad.