Pirates win the derby, but Downs stay top

An action-packed round of Betway Premiership matches drew to a close on Saturday, as Orlando Pirates took the bragging rights in the Soweto derby, but Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed top spot with a thrashing of Durban City.

The weekend’s action got underway on Friday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, where Marumo Gallants claimed their first win of the season, defeating Siwelele FC 3-2 thanks to goals from Samkele Sihlali (two) and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.

Saturday afternoon’s main event was the Soweto derby, with Orlando Pirates leapfrogging to the top of the standings with a 2-1 win over arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.

The Buccaneers claimed a seventh successive league win thanks to goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi (both assisted by Thapelo Mokobodi) either side of an equaliser from the Amakhosi’s Pule Mmodi.

At the same time, Milford FC kept up their impressive start to a rookie top-flight season by edging Sekhukhune United 1-0 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium – with Mvelo Zikayoko’s first-half goal taking the Stallions to a fifth win in 10 league matches.

In the early-evening fixtures, AmaZulu kept a firm hold on third place on the log with a hard-earned 1-0 home win over Durban derby rivals Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium, as Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya returned to scoring form by netting his 11th goal of the season across all competitions.

At the same time, Polokwane City and TS Galaxy continued their lean runs of form by playing to a goalless stalemate at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Chippa United picked up just their second league win of the season by upsetting Stellenbosch FC 2-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium – with strikes in each half from Harold Majadibodu and Imraan Jones.

SUNDOWNS BACK ON TOP

In the late kickoffs, Richard Bay’s miserable start to the season continued, as they succumbed 3-1 away to Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium.

First-half goals from Wonderboy Makhubu and Ebrahim Seedat laid the foundation for the Village Boys to secure their third league win of the season, before a late third from Mancoba Zwane added some extra flair.

The Natal Rich Boyz gave themselves some hope with a strike from Luyanda Khumalo, but ultimately it was not enough to prevent a sixth league defeat of the season, as they remained both bottom of the log and the only winless team in the division thus far.

At the same time, Mamelodi Sundowns retook top spot from Pirates with a 4-1 home win over Durban City at Loftus Versfeld. Goals from Thabang Matuludi (two), Iqraam Rayners and Antonio van Wyk pushed the Brazilians back to the top of the pile – albeit having played a game more than the Buccaneers.

The Betway Premiership will now go into recess to accommodate the Carling Knockout quarterfinals and international break, before returning in late November. A round of matches previously set for Wednesday 4 November has been postponed due to local government elections.

Betway Premiership weekend results

Friday 30 October

Marumo Gallants 3-2 Siwelele FC

Saturday 31 October

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Milford FC 1-0 Sekhukhune United

Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Chippa United

AmaZulu FC 1-0 Golden Arrows

Polokwane City 0-0 TS Galaxy

Kruger United 3-1 Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Durban City