Orlando Pirates are back in the Betway Premiership title race with a shout following their 2-1 victory over reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Bucs starlet Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice inside the opening five minutes in a nightmare start that visitors Sundowns couldn't quite recover from. Mofokeng got on the end of a cross from striker Evidence Makgopa to finish in the 4th minute before capitalizing on disorder in the Masandawana defense to double the lead less than a minute later.
Sundowns proceeded to control possession and be the more dangerous team but forgot their finishing boots at home. Wasteful shooting and a strong defensive effort from the hosts impeded the champions' comeback effort.
Sundowns right back Khuliso Mudau pulled a goal back in the second half with a finish from close range but Amabhakabhaka just held on for the full time whistle to arrive. Pirates are fifteen points back of the league leaders but still have four games to make up and close the gap.
In another match played simultaneously, Kaizer Chiefs fell to a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal. The opportunistic hosts found second half goals from Fezile Gcaba and Yanela Mbuthuma to clinch a valuable victory as Chiefs once again failed to finish their chances.
AmaKhosi remained mired in a midtable position, sitting in eighth place while Richards Bay move up to eleventh in a big boost to their relegation fight. Sunday's action concluded with a 2-1 victory away from home for Stellenbosch FC at Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Stellies have now moved comfortably into the top-3 with matches still to make up on fourth place TS Galaxy and fifth placed Sekhukhune.
Results
AmaZulu 1-2 TS Galaxy
Magesi 1-0 Golden Arrows
Cape Town City 0-1 Marumo Gallants
Chippa United 2-0 Polokwane City
Richards Bay 2-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Orlando Pirates 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sekhukhune United vs Stellenbosch
League Table (Top-8)
GP | Points | |
Mamelodi Sundowns | 23 | 58 |
Orlando Pirates | 19 | 43 |
Stellenbosch | 21 | 35 |
TS Galaxy | 23 | 35 |
Sekhukhune | 22 | 34 |
Polokwane City | 22 | 31 |
AmaZulu | 23 | 30 |
Kaizer Chiefs | 22 | 29 |
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