A thrilling weekend of Betway Premiership action was headlined by Mamelodi Sundowns taking charge of the title race, Magesi FC breaking their win drought, and SuperSport United salvaging a draw away to Sekhukhune United.
SuperSport were in action in the only match on Sunday, claiming a share of the spoils with Babina Noko at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium after Samir Nurkovic’s late equaliser cancelled out Relebogile Mokhuoane’s opener.
However, Matsatsantsa – who also missed a penalty in the clash against Sekhukhune – have now gone six matches without a win in the league and find themselves in 12th, four points off the top half of the table.
The headline result of the weekend arrived on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, as league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns claimed an emphatic 4-1 win over nearest chasers Orlando Pirates to take firm control of the title race.
A brace of excellent goals from the irrepressible Lucas Ribeiro added to Grant Kekana’s opener and Teboho Mokoena’s missile, as the Brazilians powered to a deserved triumph. They have now opened a nine-point lead over the Buccaneers at the top of the table (albeit having played a game more).
Saturday afternoon also saw Magesi FC break a 10-game winless run across competitions, and move off the foot of the table, thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Cape Town City. Goals in each half from Mcedi Vandala and Lehlohonolo Mtshali handed Dikwena tsa Meetse only their second league win of the season.
In Saturday’s two night matches, Richards Bay snapped Polokwane City’s nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions with a 2-0 win at King Zwelithini Stadium (via goals from Tlakusani Mthethwa and Ntlonelo Bomelo), while TS Galaxy are up to 12 games unbeaten across all competitions after Damir Sovsic’s late strike gave them a 1-0 triumph over Chippa United at Mbombela Stadium.
Friday’s action saw AmaZulu FC continue their fine form, as they defeated Marumo Gallants 2-0 (goals from Rowan Human and Wayde Jooste) for a third win from their last four matches across all competitions, while Kaizer Chiefs claimed a much-needed away victory, overcoming Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at the Athlone Stadium thanks to an early strike from new attacker Makabi Lilepo.
The Premiership will continue with one midweek fixture on Tuesday 11 February, as TS Galaxy host Mamelodi Sundowns, before going into recess during the Last 16 round of the Nedbank Cup from 12 to 16 February.
Betway Premiership weekend results
Friday 7 February
AmaZulu FC 2-0 Marumo Gallants
Stellenbosch FC 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Saturday 8 February
Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Orlando Pirates
Magesi FC 2-0 Cape Town City
TS Galaxy 1-0 Chippa United
Richards Bay 2-0 Polokwane City
Sunday 9 February
Golden Arrows v Royal AM – Postponed
Sekhukhune United 1-1 SuperSport United