Absa Premiership midweek wrap - Four tied at the top, Sundowns in pole position

Joseph Molangoane of Kaizer Chiefs and Phetso Maphanga of Chippa United during the Absa Premiership 2017/18 game between Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 6 December 2017 © Deryck Foster/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Dec 07, 2017. 11:30

The 2017/18 Absa Premiership has no less than four teams tied at the top of the log after an intriguing set of midweek results, though Mamelodi Sundowns look to have gone up a couple of gears and are in pole position to establish a strong dominance.

Tuesday’s results left a three-way tie at the top of the log: Mamelodi Sundowns joined former leaders Baroka FC on 19 points and took pole position on goal difference thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of the Limpopo side (with Percy Tau scoring twice), while Orlando Pirates completed the trio with a goalless draw at home to SuperSport United.

The other game on the night was a thrilling clash in KwaMashu where Maritzburg United broke an eight-game winless streak - and a seven-game scoring drought - in spectacular style as they thrashed ‘hosts’ Cape Town City 4-2.

Wednesday’s early game saw Free State Stars defeat Golden Arrows 2-1 in Bethlehem thanks to goals from Goodman Dlamini and Sinethemba Jantjie, while Ea Lla Koto’s provincial rivals and weekend opponents, Bloemfontein Celtic, had their game at AmaZulu called off due to a dangerously wet pitch at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

The 19-point club at the top of the table admitted another member when Chippa United edged Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Port Elizabeth thanks to Abel Mabaso’s early goal. The Chilli Boys have gone 10 matches without defeat, while the Amakhosi are five without a win and slipping into mid-table mediocrity.

At the bottom of the log, champions Bidvest Wits remain dead last after they could only draw 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers Ajax Cape Town - this allowed Platinum Stars, who won 1-0 at Polokwane City, to move out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

The Absa Premiership will continue with a full round of fixtures this coming weekend, December 8-10.

Absa Premiership midweek results

Tuesday 5 December

Mamelodi Sundowns 4-0 Baroka FC

Orlando Pirates 0-0 SuperSport United

Cape Town City 2-4 Maritzburg United

Wednesday 6 December

Free State Stars 2-1 Golden Arrows

Polokwane City 0-1 Platinum Stars

Chippa United 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Bidvest Wits 0-0 Ajax Cape Town

AmaZulu v Bloemfontein Celtic - Called off