Chiefs one step closer to glory; Pirates continue great form

Kaizer Chiefs have moved one step closer to glory in the Absa Premiership after they claimed a 1-0 win away to Golden Arrows on Saturday, while Orlando Pirates continued their great form with a victory over AmaZulu.

Chiefs looked set to drop points for a second game in a row (following a draw with Black Leopards last weekend) when their afternoon clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban moved into extra time with a blank score line, but Lebogang Manyama struck a last-gasp winner to secure all three points.

The Amakhosi now enjoy a 10-point lead at the top over nearest chasers Mamelodi Sundowns (who have a game in hand) and look to be well on course to win the PSL championship for the first time since 2015.

The other afternoon game on Saturday saw Stellenbosch move into the top eight with a clutch 1-0 win at home to struggling Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium. Ovidy Karuru netted late in the first half to see Stellies to a victory which puts them well clear of the relegation zone (and rack up a hat-trick of top-fight victories for the first time), while Rise and Shine are in deep trouble after a 12th defeat from their last 14 league outings.

The same can be said for AmaZulu, who remained bottom of the log (level on points with Polokwane) after a narrow 1-0 loss at Orlando Pirates in the early-evening game. Vincent Pule scored the only goal for the Buccaneers with a cushioned finish in the second half, ensuring that Pirates extended their unbeaten run under coach Josef Zinnbauer to eight matches and moved up to fourth place on the log.

Friday night saw Cape Town City claim a key win in their battle against relegation by defeating Black Leopards 1-0 at home, while SuperSport United – inspired by a brace from Bradley Grobler – overpowered Chippa United 3-0 in Tshwane.

The Absa Premiership’s weekend action wraps up with one match on Sunday afternoon, with Baroka FC hosting Maritzburg United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Absa Premiership weekend results

Friday 24 January

Cape Town City 1-0 Black Leopards

SuperSport United 3-0 Chippa United

Saturday 25 January

Golden Arrows 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Stellenbosch 1-0 Polokwane City

Orlando Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu