Saleng shines, Ribeiro's Futsal moment, Gallants 'scored three'?

This week's Weekend Wrap includes Monnapule Saleng making a long-awaited return to action, Mamelodi Sundowns star Lucas Ribeiro Costa showing his class to down Kaizer Chiefs, who had a case for a penalty. 

'Mkhuthuzi' back at it 

Bafana Bafana salvaged a 1-1 draw against Egypt in the first leg of a CHAN qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Sunday. Jamie Webber's long-range strike cancelled out Mohamed Hassan Hashem Abdelaal opener for the visitors.

The match also marked the return of Saleng to competitive action for the first time since December 2024.

The winger is reportedly unsettled at Orlando Pirates over contractual disagreements and has not featured since a CAF Champions League encounter against Al Ahly in December.

However, Bucs did avail Saleng for national team duty when called upon by Molefi Ntseki and the player was one of the more productive attackers in national colours.

Bafana meet Egypt away from home on Sunday with the disadvantage of having conceded a goal at home. 

Ribeiro's Midas touch 

In the most anticipated fixture of the weekend, Sundowns were 1-0 winners over rivals Chiefs at a sold-out Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Marcelo Allende walked away with the Man of the Match award, but it was Ribeiro's magical volley that stole the show and even prompted opposition coach Nasreddine Nabi to endorse him for PSL Player of the Season. 

It was a goal well worth its weight in gold, straight from Futsal, a popular sport in Brazil.

Iqraam Rayners received a beautiful pass from left-back Asekho Tiwani, and with Peter Shalulile having drawn Inacio Miguel out wide, it left Amakhosi's centre-back area exposed. Rayners laid it off for Ribeiro, who expertly controlled with his weaker foot, before firing a thunderbolt past Bruce Bvuma.

It was his 12th league goal of the campaign and the 15th in all competitions.

This is in addition to 10 assists.

With the victory, Sundowns now enjoy an 18-point cushion from second-placed Pirates, who have played four games less.

Chiefs, though, put up a brave display and were unlucky not to have taken the lead after several opportunities in the first half, most notably Mduduzi Shabalala in the box. 

They also will feel a little hard done by that they did not get a penalty after Khuliso Mudau appeared to push Pule Mmodi in the box as the latter held firm to take a shot that went off-target.

Marumo's gallant effort 

The Buccaneers suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring in the first half, before Thalente Mbatha deflected the ball into his own net late in the second stanza.

The match was not without its fair share of controversy though as at one stage it turned into a stop-start affair with tackles flying in. As a result, Washington Arubi had to be substituted after colliding with his own teammate, as Kagiso Mlambo came on.

A headed effort by Junior Zindoga was cleared off the line by Sipho Chaine, although it was not clear whether the whole circumference of the ball had actually crossed the line. 

The defeat is a major setback for the Soweto giants' title ambitions with Sundowns collecting points with brutal regularity. It was a fourth loss in 16 games for them this season.

For the home side, playing in front of a full house, this was sweet revenge after the humiliation of an 8-1 defeat to Jose Riveiro's men at Orlando in December.

Other results:

Magesi FC 1-0 SuperSport United

TS Galaxy 2-0 Golden Arrows

AmaZulu FC 2-0 Cape Town City

Richards Bay FC 0-0 Chippa United

Milford FC 1-2 Sekhukhune United (Nedbank Cup)