Siwelele FC have shot straight to the top of the Betway Premiership log after they debuted with a 3-1 win over Golden Arrows at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday night.
Siwelele – a ‘phoenix club’ of Bloemfontein Celtic, who bought SuperSport United’s top-flight status last month – sit at the top of the log on goal difference ahead of Marumo Gallants, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United (all of whom also won their opening matches through the course of Saturday afternoon and evening).
The newcomers triumphed thanks to a brace of goals from Siviwe Magidigidi and a fine strike by Vincent Pule, while Abafana Bes’thende’s consolation was scored by defender Keenan Phillips.
Siwelele collect maximum points in front of a sold-out Bloem crowd 🤩🟢⚪#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/zljsHIA3VV
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
The home side took a while to find their rhythm, but backed by a vocal and emotional crowd, they were soon bossing the game and forcing Arrows onto the back foot.
The pressure paid off in the 20th minute, with Siwelele winning the ball high up the field and feeding Ghampani Lungu, who crossed from the left to pick out Vincent Pule at the far post – his header was saved by goalkeeper Edward Maova, but the loose ball was volleyed into the roof of the net at close range by Siviwe Magidigidi.
And just two minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage: more high pressing resulted in a poor back pass from Oumar Camara which was intercepted by Pule – he then rounded Maova and scored from a tight angle with only a sliver of the target to aim for.
20' - Magidigidi
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
22' - Pule
This is how you announce yourself in the Betway Prem 😤🟢⚪
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/wlwcmuHzzJ
Arrows were stunned by the one-two punch, but were able to gain a foothold in the game, even threatening to pull one back via Philani Kumalo, who dragged an effort wide from just inside the 18-yard area in the 37th minute.
Siwelele also had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down late in the first half, with Lungu clumsily brought to the ground, only to be adjudged to have committed a foul.
Nonetheless, a 2-0 lead at halftime accurately reflected the home side’s dominance.
Arrows made a triple change at the start of the second half and brought themselves back into the game on 50 minutes, as a free kick into the Siwelele box struck the shoulder of Keenan Phillips and looped beyond goalkeeper Ricardo Goss to make it 2-1.
However, Siwelele restored a two-goal lead in the 56th minute, as Magidigidi got on the end of Neo Rapoo’s cross from the right flank and headed home his second of the game.
It's a double dose of Magidigidi in Bloem 🤩⚽⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/x4gddOUpVC
And the young forward nearly completed a hat-trick a short while later, lobbing an effort just wide of the mark after beating Maova to a pass over the top of the defence.
The remainder of the game saw Siwelele able to assert control and ensure that Arrows did not find another path to get back into the contest, culminating in a joyous celebration upon the sound of the final whistle.
The teams will return to Premiership action this coming midweek, with Siwelele away to Orbit College on Tuesday, 12 August, and Arrows at home to Richards Bay the following evening.
Siwelele FC (2) 3 (Magidigidi 20’ 56’, Pule 22’)
Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Phillips 50’)
Siwelele: Goss, Mobbie (Sanoka 66’), Mkhwanazi, Ndebele, Rapoo, Mokhuoane, Moralo (Makhele 79’), Lungu, Pule (Ayer 79’), Saile, Magidigidi (Lakay 72’)
Arrows: Maova, Phillips, Shitolo (Gumbi 79’), Jiyane, Comara, Mhlongo (Dlamini 46’), Mantshiyane (Cele 46’), Kumalo (Sibiya 53’), Ndlovu, Thokozani (Karelse 46’), Zwane