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Sundowns move closer to title triumph, Swallows frustrate Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns moved closer to clinching the title and the ‘original’ Soweto derby between Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates ended all square in midweek action in the DStv Premiership.
The Brazilians secured a 15th win from 19 unbeaten league matches this season when they edged Richards Bay 1-0 at home on Tuesday night, with Junior Mendieta striking deep in injury time to secure all three points.
Junior Mendieta 🤝 Scoring against Richards Bay#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/NNhFJ2VtM4
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 3, 2024
Sundowns need only 17 points from a possible 33 in the remainder of the season to secure a record-extending seventh successive Premiership title – and that is assuming their nearest chasers, Stellenbosch FC, take a full haul of points between now and the end of the campaign.
Stellies, the surprise team pushing to be the ‘best of the rest’ behind ‘Downs, continued their excellent form with an away win over an ailing Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday thanks to Devon Titus’s lone goal, while Sekhukhune United saw their winning run halted at five league matches when they played to an entertaining 2-2 draw with Cape Town City (who have now gone seven without a win across all competitions).
Heading home with 3️⃣ points in the bag pic.twitter.com/yskul5jzx9
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 3, 2024
Sekhukhune’s goals were both scored by the in-form Linda Mntambo, while the Citizens opened and closed the scoring via Ahshene Jody Lee and Heaven Sereets.
Tuesday also saw a goalless stalemate between AmaZulu and Polokwane City, while Wednesday’s headline result was a 1-1 draw between Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates at a wet Dobsonville Stadium.
The Birds claimed a first-half lead via Lindokuhle Mtshali, before the Buccaneers levelled through Patrick Maswanganyi early in the second half to earn a share of the spoils.
☠️ FT || @Moroka_Swallows 1 - 1 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 3, 2024
🥅 53' Maswanganyi
🎙 Goalscorer | Patrick Maswanganyi
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/BQ2znzlXna
Yet the away side produced more than enough chances and attacking pressure to merit a second goal, but were unable to find the net again – with their frustration compounded by a late red card for defender Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Swallows, meanwhile, broke a five-game losing streak at home and have opened a comfortable nine-point buffer above the relegation playoff zone.
A ROYAL THUMPING
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Golden Arrows fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with SuperSport United, as late goals from Lungelo Nguse and Gladwin Shitolo cancelled out first-half strikes from Ime Okon and Terrrence Dzvukamanja.
Chippa United scored an important 2-0 home win over Cape Town Spurs (thanks to goals from Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Kayden Francis) to keep the Urban Warriors stuck in last place on the log, while TS Galaxy turned on the style to thump Royal AM 3-0 with strikes from Samir Nurkovic, Lehlohonolo Mojela and Kamogelo Sebelebele.
The DStv Premiership will continue this coming weekend with a full round of fixtures on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April.
Eleven goals in the #DStvPrem on Wednesday night 👇
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 3, 2024
Chippa Utd end their poor run with a win over Spurs as TS Galaxy leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs on the table 📈
The spoils are shared in Hammarsdale and Soweto respectively 🤝 pic.twitter.com/M6mmfxMIiC
MIDWEEK RESULTS
Tuesday 2 April
AmaZulu FC 0-0 Polokwane City
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Stellenbosch FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Richards Bay
Sekhukhune United 2-2 Cape Town City
Wednesday 3 April
Golden Arrows 2-2 SuperSport United
Chippa United 2-0 Cape Town Spurs
TS Galaxy 3-0 Royal AM
Moroka Swallows 1-1 Orlando Pirates
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