Five Statistics: PSL weekend review

It was an eventful weekend all around with Cup action at the centre of the limelight at home and abroad. Sundowns (draw) and Stellenbosch (loss) are the two PSL teams that travelled for CAF competition this weekend, with neither of them able to secure wins. Kaizer Chiefs were home to Al Masry of Egypt, winning 2-1 to set up an intriguing final matchday for the Confederations Cup. Domestically, Orlando Pirates cruised to the next round of the Nedbank Cup while there was drama all over the country in the other games. Here are five emerging narratives from the weekend…

Chiefs fly the flag for PSL, although qualification is not yet confirmed

Kaizer Chiefs will be happy with how they have bounced back after opening their CAF group stage campaign with two winless matchdays. If you had told Chiefs co-coaches that they would be sitting at the top of their group going into the final matchday, they would have bitten your hand off and taken the offer. Yet, here they are, with 10 points fom five games and three consecutive wins. Qualifying from the group alone may not be enough, Chiefs can now aim to win the group next weekend. All this has largely to do with their home form.

12 – Chiefs are now unbeaten in their last 12 home games in CAF competitions (W7 D5).

Sundowns’ away struggles continue, but qualification still in their hands

Sundowns’ away form in CAF competitions have been concerning for nearly two years. The aways results will not ultimately decide their final position in the table; as always winning your home games does. Downs had enough chances to win away to Lupopo on Sunday, but failed to take them. It is on afternoons such as these that doubts over Sundowns’ CAF pedigree come surging back. That said, Downs’ fate is still in their hands and this point may prove crucial when the final whistle blows on Matchday 6. Coach Cardoso will be happy the final game is at home.

1 – Sundowns have won just one of their last 11 away CAF Champions League games in the Group Stages or later (P11 W1 D6 L4 since March 2024).

Stellenbosch bow out of Africa with a whimper

After the highs of eliminating Kaizer Chiefs in teh Nedbank Cup during  the week, came the lows of elimination from the Confederations Cup a few days later. On Sunday, Stellies lost their third conscutive game in this competition, effectively knocking them out of the recokong for the next stage. The defeat to Otoho d’Oyo means the Congolese  club are through to the next round. Next weekend’s game for Stellies against Singida Balack Stars will merely be a formality for both teams.

3 – Stellies have failed to score in three consecutive CAF games, their joint-worst run in their history in this competition.

Orlando Pirates march on into the next round

Abdeslam Ouaddou will be a happy man this week, after seeing his team qualify for the Nedbank Cup Last of 16 with ease. Pirates’ opponent opted to play their home game in Durban, meaning Pirates did not need to travel after their midweek win over AmaZulu. Three of Pirates’ four games this year have been away, and they have come out unscathed in that time. It is a sign of a maturing team that has developed over the course of the season. Early CAF elimination may have been a blessing in disguise.

13 – Pirates are unbeaten in13 games across competitions since losing to St Eloi Lupopo in October last year (W11 D2).

Thrills in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32

A year ago the Last 32 round of the 2025 Nedbank Cup played out, with little to no drama. Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch, AmaZulu and SuperSport all won comfortably within 90 minutes. This year, we have already seen Chiefs bow out of the competition during the week. On the weekend, the drama continued with postponed matches, extra time winners and penalty shootout heartbreaks. For the neutral, this may be just another weekend of football. But for the die hard fans, this weekend of drama represented the true magic of the Cup.

6 – Six matches were decided in extra time (2) or openalties (4) in ths round. Last season, the whole tournament saw just four games go the distace.