The weekend’s Betway Premiership action was headlined by second-placed Orlando Pirates eating into the lead of Mamelodi Sundowns, while Cape Town City’s win drought continued unabated.
Pirates had to work hard to overcome Polokwane City 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, but a set-piece goal – in which Nkosinathi Sibisi netted from close range – was enough to see them eat into Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead on Saturday. The reigning champions now top the log by 12 points ahead of the Buccaneers, who still have three games in hand.
Saturday also featured a 0-0 draw between Golden Arrows and Chippa United in Hammarsdale; SuperSport United’s relegation fears worsened after they could only draw 1-1 with Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein (Bradley Grobler’s strike was cancelled out by Trevor Mathiane); and Kaizer Chiefs have gone four league games without a victory after they could only draw 1-1 with TS Galaxy in Polokwane.
The Amakhosi claimed the lead via Wandile Duba, but a late own goal scuppered their hopes of returning to winning form.
The weekend’s action got underway on Friday evening with a KwaZulu-Natal derby between AmaZulu FC and Richards Bay, won 1-0 by the former thanks to a second-half strike from Taariq Fielies. Usuthu snapped a run of three straight losses with the result.
Sunday’s lone game saw Cape Town City’s win drought extended to 12 matches across all competitions, as they slumped to a 2-1 home loss at the hands of Sekhukhune United at the Cape Town Stadium.
Samkele Sihlali and Chibuike Ohizu netted for Babina Noko, while the Citizens find themselves just one place and one point above the relegation playoff berth (currently occupied by SuperSport United).
The Betway Premiership will resume later in the month, with next weekend blocked out for the Nedbank Cup semifinals.
Betway Premiership weekend results
Friday 4 April
AmaZulu FC 1-0 Richards Bay
Saturday 5 April
Polokwane City 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Golden Arrows 0-0 Chippa United
Marumo Gallants 1-1 SuperSport United
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 TS Galaxy
Sunday 6 April
Cape Town City 1-2 Sekhukhune United
Mamelodi Sundowns v Stellenbosch FC – Postponed
Royal AM v Magesi FC – Postponed