While the Soweto Derby and the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly took up plenty of attention for South African soccer supporters, SuperSport United seized an opportunity to boost their prospects for second place in the DStv Premiership. The Pretoria club defeated Maritzburg United 2-0 in the opening match of the weekend’s slate with veteran striker Bradley Grobler reaching a major milestone. The 35-year-old wrapped up SuperSport’s win by following up a saved penalty kick to fire in his 100th career goal in South African football, extending Mahsatsantsa’s gap to five points clear of a trio of teams in second position.
SuperSport are ahead of three teams each on 31 points including Richards Bay who continued their slide with a 1-2 home defeat to Stellenbosch FC. After defying the odds to mount a challenge for the top-3 in their first DStv Premiership season, the Natal Rich Boyz have lost four matches in a row in all competitions.
On the other end of the table, Swallows FC earned a valuable 2-1 victory away from home at Chippa United. With a recently appointed coach in Ernst Middendorp who specializes in avoiding relegation, the Dube Birds appear to be finding their form at the right time and are now three points clear of the bottom two spots.
Highlights from SuperSport United’s victory are below as well as the win for Swallows and a 1-1 draw between AmaZulu and Royal AM.
Scores
SuperSport United 2-0 Maritzburg United
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Orlando Pirates
Sekhukhune United 0-1 Cape Town City
Richards Bay 1-2 Stellenbosch
AmaZulu 1-1 Royal AM
Chippa United 1-2 Swallows FC
Highlights
SuperSport United 2-0 Maritzburg United
Chippa United 1-2 Swallows FC
AmaZulu 1-1 Royal AM