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Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Title race picks up steam in DStv Premiership with AmaZulu’s decisive victory and Sundowns’ fatigue

The DStv Premiership title race is beginning to gather in steam with the emergence of AmaZulu as a potential challenger to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Benni McCarthy led side delivered a decisive 1-5 road victory at Cape Town City in a match that saw a league-record four penalty kicks awarded. Each team went 1-for-2 from the spot but the result was well in hand for the visitors by the time Fagrie Lakay missed his attempt for Cape Town. Augustine Mulenga and Lehlohanolo Majoro were among the scorers for AmaZulu as they moved to within a point of Sundowns.

Sundowns continue to look a bit sluggish in their recent league form and a 0-0 home draw against Golden Arrows failed to convince. Continuing a policy of squad rotation, the Brazilians lacked fluidity in their buildups and failed to create clear cut opportunities against a stubborn Arrows side. Players like playmaker Themba Zwane showed tired legs on Wednesday, and though Sundowns still have two games to make up on closest competitors AmaZulu, two points out of a possible nine in their last three league games is cause for concern.

Kaizer Chiefs’ inspired comeback to defeat Sundowns on Sunday saw Amakhosi come back down to earth once again with a 0-1 home defeat to Chippa United. The Chilli Boys have been hapless in league play but the relegation candidates did well to disrupt Chiefs’ poor attack and take their chance. Cameroonian forward Bienvenu Eva Nga seized on a poor play from Chiefs defensive stalwart Eric Mathoho to lift a bouncing ball over keeper Itumelang Khune before being clattered. The brave goal could be crucial as Chippa are now only a point from escaping the relegation zone. Chiefs remain stuck in the middle of the table in ninth.

Sport24 wraps up all of Wednesday’s action from South Africa’s top division in the link below. Tshakhuma got a win of their own against Bloem Celtic to stay a point ahead of Chippa United and TS Galaxy defeated Baroka 0-1 on the road in the remainder of the games. Highlights from the three featured matches are below.

Sport24’s Recap of the Day’s Action

Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Golden Arrows

Cape Town City 1-5 AmaZulu

Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Chippa United