Winners & Losers: MTN8 Semi-Finals (1st leg)

Sundowns let in a late goal away to Orlando Pirates in the first semi-final, but may be content with their own away goal. Later in the evening, Stellenbosch enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Sekhukhune and will consider themselves favourites to progress, given how history has favoured first-leg winners. Winners & Losers is a statistical review of the PSL weekend.

Winners

Stellenbosch

The only side to win this weekend. This was a perfect Cup performance from Stellies, and maybe the performance that gets ther season going. Coming into this game, they had endured a stop-start season, with a win, draw and defeat. But they cruised to a 2-0 lead before the break and never looked back.

0 – In MTN8 history, no team has ever won the first leg of the semi-final and subsequently failed to progress to the final (15 previous occasions).

Devin Titus

Among others, Iqraam Rayners, Jayden Adams and Fawaaz Basadien have all left the club in recent years. But no team has wooed Devin Titus from the winelands as yet. He remains Stellenbosch’s most dangerous player, and when he plays well, Stellies usually do the same. His goal was sublime, and his overall performance was impressive.

24 – Stellenbosch have won each of their last 24 games when Titus is on the scoresheet.

Abdeslam Ouaddou

Few will argue that the late equaliser was deserved, but Pirates’new coach will be most satisfied with that result. Playing Sundowns and Stellenbosch after two successive defeats is a test of confidence. And a comeback draw re-instils confidence, and may soon instil belief among the Pirates faithful.

1 – Orlando Pirates have never lost a first-leg semi-final in the MTN8, winning five and drawing five of their 10 such matches since this stage was played over two legs.

Teboho Mokoena

He could have had three goals, given his other chances, but Mokoena will be happy with scoring the away goal that gives Downs the slight advantage. Pace, strength and stamina were all in abundance in this display, and the goal was perfect icing on the performance.

30 – The opener in the MTN8 semi-final was Teboho Mokoena’s 30th club goal in all competitions

Sundowns

Downs may have given away a late winner, but they are in the Winners column for getting the away goal that could prove important. Away teams drawing the first leg while scoring progress more often (58%) than they fail (42%)

Losers

Sekhukhune

Not a wonderful evening for Eric Tinkler and his men. An away goal would have made things more interesting ahead of the second leg, but 2-0 down will be difficult to overcome.

0 – No team has ever lost the first leg of the semi-final and subsequently progressed to the final (15 previous occasions).

Sundowns’ first leg history

1 – Since winning their MTN8 first-leg semi-final against SuperSport United in 2008 under Trott Moloto, Sundowns have not won any of the subsequent 10 such matches (P10 W0 D7 L3 in MTN8 semi-final first legs since).