Johannesburg - It was an action-packed weekend in the Absa Premiership with Bidvest Wits outlining their title credentials with another impressive win.
There were also wins for Mamelodi Sundowns over Kaizer Chiefs in the high-profile encounter of the weekend, with Cape Town City, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United.
Looking back at some of the post-match reaction after the weekend games, Chiefs' Ramahlwe Mphahlele said he felt emotional on scoring against his former club in the 2-1 loss at Sundowns.
“It was an emotional moment to score against the team I used to captain. I couldn't even celebrate because any form of celebration would have been subjected to interpretation either way - especially by the Sundowns supporters as if I would be mocking them.”
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was full of praise for the fast-rising reputation of Percy Tau, even comparing him to one of the legends of the game.
“Percy is a happy boy. He reminds me of Ronaldinho. When he is happy, he just plays. But he has to score. He just plays, he is just having fun. It's nice, it's good to see.”
Gavin Hunt had this to say after Wits beat Platinum Stars 1-0. “It was hard to watch. When we got the goal, the game was dead after that. We could have had a good few goals here, we had great chances. But I mean it's a real sticky pitch and the ball wasn't moving. “Our fluency's not there, you could see, three weeks again, no game. So the most important thing was just to get three points and get ourselves on the way again.”
Meanwhile, Golden Arrows boss Clinton Larsen was smiling broadly after they beat Highlands Park 1-0.
“The shift that the boys put in was magnificent - conditions weren't easy, but it was a magnificent shift from everybody and I'm proud of their performance. There're no easy games in this league - we keep saying this as coaches, regardless of where you play, especially away from home - it's tough.”
Then there was the reaction from Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, who explained his much talked-about new formation.
“The essence of our current approach is at the back of our strikers not scoring, we're trying to give them confidence. If you look at our scoring charts, our strikers are not as free-scoring. Now we're trying to see how best we can assist them. Before scoring, it's about confidence.”
Free State Stars coach Giovanni Solinas was downcast after the 1-0 loss to the Buccaneers. “I'm very disappointed with the result, but I am happy with the fight that my players put up on the day. They are gradually getting their confidence game-by-game.”
Finally, there was the quote from Highlands Park striker Collins Mbesuma, who tried to rally his team after their first loss under Gordon Igesund. “As players, we have to push each and every game. We need to work hard and push more. But it's a new team, new players, and we have to come to the party.”
African News Agency