By Levy Masiteng
Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership with a 4-1 victory over Richards Bay on Tuesday, while defending champions Orlando Pirates kept up the pressure with a 3-0 win over TS Galaxy.
Pirates have a game in hand over Sundowns, setting up a closely contested early-season title race.
Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium, extending their run to five draws in their last six league matches.
The fixtures formed part of Tuesday’s Premiership programme as clubs returned to domestic league action following the international break.
Sundowns maintain top spot
Sundowns produced a commanding performance against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.
Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring in the 18th minute, but Richards Bay responded just four minutes later through Lwandile Mabuya.
Iqraam Rayners restored Sundowns’ lead in the 37th minute before completing his brace shortly after the restart in the 48th minute.
Fawaaz Basadien completed the scoring in the 59th minute to seal the victory.
The result moved Sundowns to 23 points from nine matches.
Sundowns will next turn their attention to the CAF Champions League, where they face Angola’s Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round this weekend.
Pirates keep pressure on league leaders
Orlando Pirates recorded their sixth consecutive league victory with a convincing performance against TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Boitumelo Radiopane opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Tshepang Moremi extended the Buccaneers’ advantage in the 50th minute.
Simphiwe Masilela added the third goal in the 77th minute to complete the victory.
Pirates moved to 22 points from eight matches, strengthening their position in the title race.
The two clubs also met in the MTN8 final on Saturday, 10 October, when Sundowns claimed a 2-0 victory.
Pirates will now turn their attention to continental action, with a CAF Champions League second preliminary round fixture against Namibia’s African Stars scheduled for this weekend.
Chiefs held to another draw
Kaizer Chiefs were unable to turn their home advantage into maximum points against Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Stellenbosch took the lead through Sinoxolo Kwayiba in the 47th minute, but Chiefs responded through Mduduzi Shabalala, who equalised in the 58th minute.
Amakhosi remain unbeaten after eight matches, but their inability to turn draws into victories has left them fourth in the standings with 14 points, nine behind Sundowns.
Chiefs’ next assignment will be in the CAF Confederation Cup, with an away fixture against Zambia’s Red Arrows scheduled for Saturday, 17 October, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s Premiership action, AmaZulu secured a 2-1 away victory over Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium, moving to 19 points and strengthening their position near the top of the table.
INSIDE SPORT
