The Betway Premiership’s midweek action saw Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns go two points clear as joint leaders, while Marumo Gallants and Kruger United continued to struggle.
Sundowns racked up the Matchday’s biggest win, thrashing AmaZulu FC (who were formerly co-leaders) 5-2 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The Brazilians bossed the entertaining game from start to finish, and racked up goals via Brayan Leon (25’ & 66’), Teboho Mokoena (32’), Tashreeq Matthews (51’) and Bennet Mokoena (90+1’), moving to 10 points from four matches – which drew them level with Pirates.
Usuthu suffered their first defeat of the season, but striker Thadolwenkosi Ngwenya continued his fine form with two consolation strikes - taking his league tally to a table-topping five goals thus far.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Kaizer Chiefs dropped off the pace of the leaders by drawing 2-2 away to Richards Bay at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.
The Natal Rich Boyz twice claimed the lead via Nqaba Xulu (8’ & 39’), but the Amakhosi hit back through Lebohang Maboe (19’) and Siphesihle Ndlovu (77’) to force a share of the spoils.
Golden Arrows racked up their first win by edging Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at home thanks to a 70th-minute diving header from Sede Junior Dion, while Polokwane City and Milford FC played out a goalless stalemate at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Tuesday’s headline result came from Soweto’s Orlando Stadium, where Orlando Pirates kept up a strong start to the defence of their title by defeating Sekhukhune United 2-0 – courtesy of goals from Boitumelo Radiopane (36’) and Oswin Appollis (62’).
Elsewhere on the same evening, Durban City got their first win of the season by defeating Kruger United 2-0 (Jean Lwamba 7’, Gaston Sirino 50’) away from home; Siwelele FC and Chippa United shared the spoils at the Free State Stadium (Yandisa Mfolozi 75’; Azola Matrose 52’); and TS Galaxy claimed an entertaining 3-2 away win over Marumo Gallants.
The Rockets fell behind early on to Msindisi Ndlovu’s fourth minute opener, but established a 3-1 lead via Victor Letsoalo (21’ & 60’) and Sedwyn George (49’).
Onke Moletshe (74’) pulled one back for the hosts, but ultimately Galaxy emerged victorious – also for the first time this season.
The Betway Premiership continues with nine matches from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 September, headlined by Kaizer Chiefs hosting Siwelele FC, and a rematch between MTN8 semifinalists Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK RESULTS
Tuesday 25 August
Kruger United 0-2 Durban City
Marumo Gallants 2-3 TS Galaxy
Orlando Pirates 2-0 Sekhukhune United
Siwelele FC 1-1 Chippa United
Wednesday 26 August
Golden Arrows 1-0 Stellenbosch FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 5-2 AmaZulu FC
Polokwane City 0-0 Milford FC
Richards Bay 2-2 Kaizer Chiefs