Orlando Pirates have big ambitions to break the ongoing stranglehold that Mamelodi Sundowns have on South African football and the Buccaneers stayed within range of the holders with Sunday's victory over Magesi FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Most of the action came in a first half that featured an eventful conclusion. After an exchange of opportunities in the opening half hour, Magesi defender Lehlegonolo Mokone was issued a red card for a dangerous challenge on Pirates winger Mohau Nkota and soon after the Bucs took advantage when a quick corner kick led to Relebohile Mofokeng's powerful long range effort past Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Magesi had an excellent opportunity to restore parity minutes later when a handball was committed in the Bucs penalty area. However, Wonderboy Makhubu sent his spot kick wide despite fooling Pirates keeper Sipho Chaine into going in the opposite direction. Outside of a 71st minute strike on goal from distance, the missed penalty kick was as close as Magesi got to equalizing.
Video: Magesi 0-1 Orlando Pirates highlights
For the rest of the top-5 clubs in the Betway Premiership it was a mixed bag of results. Stellenbosch were held to a 1-1 draw at SuperSport United and in form Polokwane City were also held in a scoreless draw at Golden Arrows on Saturday. Sekhukhune United moved into fifth place with a narrow 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants.
Video: SuperSport United 1-1 Stellenbosch highlights
On Sunday, AmaZulu continued their rich vein of form with a 1-0 victory at Cape Town City. Usuthu have now won four of their last six league matches since enduring a nightmare start and are now in 11th place. TS Galaxy also joined AmaZulu in moving up the table after Bosnian forward Dzenan Zajmovic contributed a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win at Royal AM.
In the final match of the weekend, Kaizer Chiefs earned their first clean sheet since October with a 1-0 result over Chippa United. Starlet attacker Mduduzi Shabalala provided the only goal of the match just before halftime to give AmaKhosi their first win in over a month and a leap into 7th place.
Results
Golden Arrows 0-0 Polokwane
Richards Bay 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sekhukhune United 1-0 Marumo Gallants
SuperSport United 1-1 Stellenbosch
Cape Town City 0-1 AmaZulu
Magesi 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Royal AM 1-3 TS Galaxy
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Chippa United
League Table (Top-5)
Games Played | Points | |
| 11 | 30 |
| 10 | 27 |
| 12 | 21 |
| 10 | 16 |
| 9 | 16 |
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