The return of the DStv Premiership after a recess of more than six weeks saw champions and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns held to a 1-1 draw by fellow heavyweights Orlando Pirates, while Kaizer Chiefs fired blanks in a stalemate away to Royal AM.
The headline match came from Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday night, as 10-man Pirates fought back from a goal down to hold Sundowns 1-1.
The Brazilians found themselves with an advantage when the Buccaneers’ Miguel Timm was sent off for a second bookable offence nine minutes into the second half, and they then claimed the lead with just under a quarter hour of regulation time to play when Marcelo Allende struck home a fine goal.
However, Pirates earned a penalty just a few minutes later and defender Thapelo Xoki netted from the spot to deny Sundowns a victory for only the third time in 15 league matches this season – though the Tshwane team remains very much in charge of the title race, enjoying a nine-point lead with two games in hand.
☠️ FT || @Masandawana 1 - 1 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) February 17, 2024
🥅 78' (P) Xoki
🎙 Midfielder | Makhehlene Makhaula
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/iGCrfSgmpV
Kaizer Chiefs found themselves in action on Sunday afternoon, but their hopes of building on the momentum they enjoyed at the end of 2023 (three wins and a draw to close out the year) were stymied by a goalless stalemate against Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Game Stats against amakhosi. ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/AG60pCkqA6
— RoyalAM_FC (@RAMFC_sa) February 18, 2024
Sunday’s late game game and the round closer saw TS Galaxy come from behind to defeat Golden Arrows 3-1 at Mbombela Stadium.
Abafana Bes’thende found themselves in the early ascendancy thanks to a strike from debutant Moyela Libamba, but the Rockets responded to lead 2-1 at the break via Thato Khiba and Lehlohonolo Mojela, with Samir Nurkovic adding a third late on.
TS Galaxy come from a goal down to hand Golden Arrows an eight successive loss in the #DStvPrem ✅ pic.twitter.com/7S6AU6Jx1B
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 18, 2024
The round opened on Friday evening with a 1-1 draw between SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC – with goals from Bradley Grobler and Iqraam Rayners respectively – while Saturday’s early matches saw Polokwane City edge Moroka Swallows 1-0 in Soweto (thanks to a second-half strike from Simon Ramabu), and Chippa United fought back to hold Cape Town City 1-1 (Elmo Kambindu’s equaliser cancelled out Khanyisa Mayo’s opener).
A tough encounter ends all square 👊
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 16, 2024
SuperSport Utd ①-① Stellenbosch FC pic.twitter.com/zpvo3qcjTu
Full-time
— Moroka SwallowsFC (@Moroka_Swallows) February 17, 2024
Moroka Swallows 0️⃣-1️⃣Polokwane City#DStvPrem#DubeBirds#MorokaSwallows
🐟📸 pic.twitter.com/yx1d67amRW
Saturday’s late afternoon kick-offs featured 3-1 home wins for Sekhukhune United over Richards Bay (Linda Mntambo, Chibuike Ohizu and Thamsanqa Masiya were on the score card for Babino Noko) and Cape Town Spurs over AmaZulu.
The latter result (inspired by a brace from Ashley Cupido) brought the Urban Warriors just their second win of the league season.
Good morning Babina Noko 👋
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) February 18, 2024
Describe last night's performance using emoji's only, we'll start: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe pic.twitter.com/O1b6nsgVBw
Thank you to the ones who have never given up on us, that Victory is for YOU! 🙏🏽🛡️#OURFANS pic.twitter.com/paKn4m3A3k
— Cape Town Spurs FC (@CapeTownSpursFC) February 17, 2024
Attention next turns to the Nedbank Cup, which will see the round of 32 played from Tuesday 20 to Sunday 25 February, before the DStv Premiership resumes with three midweek fixtures on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 February.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Friday 16 February
SuperSport United 1-1 Stellenbosch FC
Saturday 17 February
Moroka Swallows 0-1 Polokwane City
Chippa United 1-1 Cape Town City
Cape Town Spurs 3-1 AmaZulu
Sekhukhune United 3-1 Richards Bay
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Orlando Pirates
Sunday 18 February
Royal AM 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs
TS Galaxy 3-1 Golden Arrows