The Tshwane duo of Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United did just enough to overcome their Soweto counterparts Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the headline results of the midweek DStv Premiership action.
Sundowns made it seven wins from as many matches at the start of the league season, edging Pirates 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Brazilians claimed the victory thanks to a first-half penalty from Lucas Ribeiro, but were forced to defend stoutly in the second half by a Buccaneers team which probably give them their toughest test thus far in 2023-24.
Sundowns maintain their dominance over the Buccaneers! 🟡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2023
The result sees the league leaders maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign ✅
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/sDIcDWAPlQ
At the Peter Mokaba Stadium, SuperSport defeated Chiefs 1-0 thanks to a goal inside the opening 70 seconds from Terrence Dzvukamanja and a resilient defensive performance, while another 1-0 win came for Sekhukhune United away to Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium (with Larry Bwalya’s 18th minute strike separating the teams).
SuperSport United condemns Chiefs to a third league defeat this season ❌❌❌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2023
Terrence Dzvukamanja’s early opener is the difference between the teams ⚽
📺 Stream the post-match wrap live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/Bch9RSQTKS
Wednesday also saw a 0-0 draw between TS Galaxy and Cape Town City at the Mbombela Stadium – a result which stops the rot of four straight losses for the Citizens.
The midweek action kicked off with a trio of matches on Tuesday, headlined by a sixth straight defeat for Cape Town Spurs, who slumped to a 2-1 loss at home to Golden Arrows.
The Urban Warriors led through Ashley Cupido, but Abafana Bes’thende struck twice via in-form Lungelo Nguse for their fourth win from seven league outings.
Tuesday also saw Chippa United come from behind to defeat Richards Bay 2-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium via an Elmo Kambindu brace, while Stellenbosch’s struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Moroka Swallows.
The Birds’ goals were netted by Ntsako Makhubela and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The log table is headed by Sundowns (21 points from 7 matches), with Arrows (14 from 7), SuperSport (13 from 6), Swallows (10 from 6) and Sekhukhune (10 from 6) rounding out the top five. Chiefs (8 from 7) and Pirates (7 from 5) are in eighth and 11th respectively, while the bottom two spots are occupied by Spurs (0 from 6) and Bay (5 from 7).
The DStv Premiership will continue through next week, with four matches scheduled to run from Monday to Wednesday (25- 27 September).
DSTV PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK RESULTS:
Tuesday 19 September
Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Moroka Swallows
Cape Town Spurs 1-2 Golden Arrows
Richards Bay 1-2 Chippa United
Wednesday 20 September
TS Galaxy 0-0 Cape Town City
Orlando Pirates 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
SuperSport United 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Royal AM 0-1 Sekhukhune United