A busy weekend of Betway Premiership action saw heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns held to draws, while Milford FC ran riot against Richards Bay.
The weekend’s action opened on Friday evening with a 1-1 draw between Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United at the Athlone Stadium. Babina Noko appeared on course for three away points when Bethuel Muzeu put them ahead midway through the second half, but Stellies levelled late on via veteran striker Bradley Grobler.
Saturday then saw Chiefs and Sundowns both fail to take full advantage of Orlando Pirates’ absence (due to CAF Club commitments) as they were held to 1-1 draws by Polokwane City and Chippa United respectively.
At the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, the Amakhosi claimed a deserved lead thanks to a well-taken goal from Lebohang Maboe, but an unfortunate mistake from goalkeeper Brandon Petersen in the second half saw a Giovanni Philander corner kick find the back of the net for a 1-1 stalemate.
And at the Buffalo City Stadium, Chippa thought they were going to secure a first-ever win over Sundowns – thanks to Sirgio Kammies’ strike 12 minutes from the end of regulation time – but deep in additional time Antonio Van Wyk struck with a heavily deflected effort to salvage a point for the Brazilians, who moved seven points clear at the top of the table.
Sundowns, though, have played three more matches than second-placed Pirates, and two more than third-placed AmaZulu, who leapfrogged Chiefs into the bronze medal position with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in Durban. Usuthu’s Thadolwenkosi Ngwenya continued his amazing form by scoring a ninth goal (from seven matches) across all competitions this season.
On Sunday, top-flight rookies Milford FC continued their fine start to life in the elite league by thrashing 10-man Richards Bay 5-1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
The Stallions dominated the match after Bay’s Lindokuhle Zikhali was sent off midway through the first half, racking up goals via Siphosethu Ndlabi, Mvelo Zikakayo (two), Phakamani Jwara and Jabulile Gxakoshe.
Sunday also saw Siwelele’s search for a first win of the season continue when they were held 1-1 by Golden Arrows in Bloemfontein (the hosts’ Christian Saile cancelled out Philani Khumalo’s opener for Abafana Bes’thende), and the weekend closed with Kruger United picking up their first win since promotion, as they edged 10-man TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium thanks to Khethukuthula Ndlovu’s second-half strike.
The Betway Premiership continues on Thursday, 17 September with Orlando Pirates v Durban City, before a weekend of seven matches on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 September – the final block of league fixtures before a lengthy break, encompassing both the impending international window and the MTN8 final.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND RESULTS
Friday, 11 September
Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Sekhukhune United
Saturday, 12 September
AmaZulu FC 1-0 Marumo Gallants
Polokwane City 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Chippa United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sunday, 13 September
Milford FC 5-1 Richards Bay
Siwelele FC 1-1 Golden Arrows
TS Galaxy 0-1 Kruger United