Sundowns stretch their lead at the summit

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates were the biggest winners on matchday 20 as Stellenbosch, SuperSport United and Cape Town City all dropped points.

Rulani Mokwena's Sundowns stretched their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership table to 12 points after beating Chippa United 2-0 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.

Goals from Teboho Mokoena (9') and Tashreeq Matthews (85') maintained the Brazilians' unbeaten start to the season, leaving the Chilli Boys down in 13th spot as they lost for the first time in four games.

Pirates did the league double over arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs with a 3-2 victory in the Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Du Preez (6', 44') had twice given Amakhosi the lead, but they pegged back on each occasion by Monnapule Saleng (24') and Thabiso Lebitso (58') before the former completed the comeback win in the 68th minute.

The Buccaneers climbed up to second position, one point ahead of Stellies and Matsatsantsa, with the Glamour Boys dropping to seventh after suffering their first defeat in eight matches.

Stellenbosch got pushed down to third place after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Town Spurs in a local derby at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening.

A penalty from Iqraam Rayners (68') cancelled out Asenele Velebayi's 43rd-minute opener for the Urban Warriors, who extended their unbeaten run to four games at the foot of the table.

SuperSport United failed to win for the fourth match in succession after they played out to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Victor Letsoalo (18') opened the scoring early on for Usuthu, but Lyle Lakay (74') hit back for Gavin Hunt's side in the second half as they remained behind the Maroons on goal difference in fourth spot.

Sekhukhune United continued their resurgence in the league with a 4-1 victory over Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium.

The two teams went into the break all square at 1-1 after Jacob Everson (30') cancelled out Linda Mntambo's sixth-minute opener for Babina Noko, who scored three unanswered goals through Yamba Tshibwabwa (62'), Thamsanqa Masiya (65') and Jamie Webber (69') to make it four wins on the spin.

Elsewhere, Richards Bay (15th) and TS Galaxy (9th) shared the spoils in a goalless draw at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, while Golden Arrows got of to a winning start under Steve Komphela after defeating Polokwane City 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Nduduzo Sibiya's 85th-minute winner settled the contest in Polokwane as Abafana Bes'thende halted a three-match losing streak to move up to eighth position, two points clear of Shine And Shine (12th).

The weekend's action concluded with Royal AM claiming a historic 2-0 win over Cape Town City at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday evening.

Goals in each half from Sedwyn George (35') and Sabelo Sithole (58') handed Thwihli Thwahla (10th) their first-ever victory against the Citizens in the top flight, with Eric Tinkler's side slipping to fifth in the standings, two points adrift of the CAF Champions League places.

DStv Premiership matchday 20 results:

Saturday, March 9

Orlando Pirates 3-2 Kaizer Chiefs

Stellenbosch 1-1 Cape Town Spurs

SuperSport United 1-1 AmaZulu

Moroka Swallows 1-4 Sekhukhune United

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Chippa United

Richards Bay 0-0 TS Galaxy

Sunday, March 10

Polokwane City 0-1 Golden Arrows

Royal AM 2-0 Cape Town City