Orlando Pirates head into the Soweto Derby on Saturday the 25th of February after a 2-1 victory over Maritzburg United on Friday night at the Orlando Stadium.

Man of the match Monnapule Saleng led Pirates to victory after he scored on the brink of halftime and provided an assist to Terrence Dzvukamanja who converted the cross into a goal in the 71st minute of the match.

With head coach Jose Riviero being on the stands during the encounter due to being suspended for two matches, Pirates were led by Mandla Ncikazi who gave new signee Souaibou Marou his DSTV Premiership debut for the Buccaneers although the Cameroonian only came on for less than 10 minutes.

Maritzburg found the consolation goal in the 85th minute when Tumelo Njoti scored a beautiful goal for Fadlu Davids' men to set a tense finale in the encounter however, it was a matter of too little too late for the KZN side.

Pirates are now sitting third on the log with 31 points after 20 games having won 9 of them meanwhile the loss means that Maritzburg United find themselves in the relegation zone occupying the 15th spot on 21 points after 20 matches.

Elsewhere in Polokwane at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Golden Arrows came back twice to defeat Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 in an entertaining Sunday afternoon DSTV Premiership clash.

Chiefs broke the deadlock in the 8th minute when Sifiso Hlanti pounced on a Keegan Dolly corner kick to head the ball into the back of the net for Amakhosi's first goal of the match.

It took more that 35 minutes in an encounter that was mostly dominated by Chiefs for Arrows to reply as Ntsako Makhubela equalized for Arrows in the 45th minute to make sure the teams go to halftime locked at 1-1.

Amakhosi began the second half of the encounter the same way they started the first half as Mduduzi Shabalala scored his second goal of the season in the 47th minute to restore the lead for Arthur Zwane's men.

That was unfortunately the end of it for Chiefs who allowed Arrows back into the encounter as Knox Mutizwa scored a brace in the 69th and 78th minute to give Arrows the victory.

The victory sees Abafana Bes'thende climb up to 10th on the log while Chiefs stay rooted on position 5 with the Soweto Derby looming on Saturday.

Banyana Banyana were just too strong for Uzbekistan in their opening match of the 2023 Turkish Women's Cup at the Emirhan Sport Complex in Antalya; Turkey on Saturday night.

A dominant first half display by Banyana Banyana was the difference as the South African women's side thumped Uzbekistan 3-0  through goals by Jermaine Seoposenwe, Noxolo Cesane and an own goal by Shokida Tojiddinova.

Seoposenwe broke the deadlock as early as the 10th minute in the first half before three minutes later Uzbekistan's Tojiddinova put the ball at the back of her own net to give Banyana the 2-0 lead, Cesane then rounded off the first half with a goal just before halftime.

Banyana who came into the second half of the match with the damage already been done will next face Slovenia on Tuesday the 21st of February at the Emirhan Sport Complex in Antalya.

Former Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle football player Christian Atsu was found dead on Saturday morning following the horrific earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria on the 6th of February 2023.

Atsu had been missing since the 6th of February 2023 when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake erupted and ever since then the search was on in a bid to locate Atsu's whereabouts.

It was on Saturday the 18th of February 2023 that Murat Uzunmehmet, one of Atsu's representatives confirmed the news that Atsu's remains were discovered under the rubble.

 

Uzunmehmet confirmed that Atsu's lifeless body was found under the rubble and more items were still being taken out, his phone was also found under the rubble.

Atsu who joined Turkish outfit Hatayspor in September 2022 after a season with Saudi Arabian team Al-Raed, was described as 'lovely individual' by the Turkish side who couldn't describe the amount of pain Atsu's death has caused in words.

Upon hearing the sad news about Atsu's passing, English Premier League side Everton FC sent through their deepest condolences to Atsu's family via a tweet mentioning that they are deeply saddened by the tragic news that Christian Atsu has been found dead following the earthquake in Turkey, "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at Hatayspor," the tweet said.

Atsu will always be remembered as one of Ghana's greatest players as he won 65 caps for Ghana and also helped them reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final where they lost to Ivory Coast 9-8 on penalties however, he went on to be named the player of the tournament.

Our hearts go out to Atsu' family, friends, and loved ones. His passing is a huge loss to the football fraternity at large.

We pray for peace and comfort for those who loved him and every football team he played for and his national team too.

Rest in peace, Atsu your legacy will live on forever.

Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Team goalkeeper Andile Dlamini won the Sport Personality of the year award at the Gauteng Sport Awards this past Saturday at the TUT Soshanguve South Campus in Tshwane.

Dlamini who is currently in Turkey for international duty with Banyana Banyana sent through a message of gratuity to everyone who voted for her to receive the award mentioning that it would have not been possible for her to win the award if people had not voted for her.

"I just want to express my gratitude to everyone who voted and believed in me for this personality award, I also want to thank everyone who constantly believes in the Andile Dlamimi brand, the brands that work with Andile Dlamini thank you a lot and a huge thank you to Gauteng Sport Award for the recognition," Dlamini said.

Meanwhile Nelly Kubayi won the Sports Fan of the year accolade and Palesa Manaleng won the Sports Journalist of the year award.

Remember Elite Sport Academy also won the Community Sport and Recreation Programme of the year award.

Week 14 of the United Rugby Championship saw some mouthwatering clashes take center stage as The Sharks thumped the Emirates Lions 29-7 on Saturday at the Ellis Park Stadium.

Heading into the second half of the match deadlocked at 7-7, the Sharks broke away in the second 40 minutes making most of the opportunities they got and scoring three tries in the process.

In a match where the Lions never really found their rhythm, the Sharks also secured a bonus point victory to make sure they stay within touching distance of the top four on the table.

Meanwhile at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, the Stormers narrowly defeated the Vodacom Bulls 23-19.

The Stormers' win over the Bulls was their fifth in succession against the Pretoria side but it was also against all South African teams that the Stormers have thrived since they lost to the Emirates Lions at DHL Stadium in early December 2021.

The victory also meant that the Stormers are 12 points behind first place Leinster on the United Rugby Championship standings with four more weeks to go.