Absa Premiership weekend wrap: Pirates the new chasers-in-chief

by Staff Reporter

Monday Feb 26, 2018. 09:30

Orlando Pirates are the new chasers-in-chief in the Absa Premiership after closing to within four points of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers produced a powerful attacking showing to win 4-2 at Chippa United on Sunday - a third win from their last four league games to send a warning ahead of next weekend’s Soweto derby.

Sunday also saw Golden Arrows defeat Ajax Cape Town 1-0 to keep the Urban Warriors stuck in the relegation zone.

The round got underway on Friday night with Maritzburg United coming from behind to defeat bottom-of-the-log Platinum Stars 2-1, thanks to a late brace from striker Andrea Fileccia.

Saturday’s first game saw Polokwane City have their first outing since the tragic passing of Mogau Tshehla, as they drew 1-1 away to Limpopo rivals Baroka FC. Rise and Shine striker Rodney Ramagalela became the first to reach the 10-goal mark in the PSL this season.

The early evening matches saw Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United play to a thrill-a-minute 1-1 draw in the Tshwane derby, and Lehlohonolo Majoro scored two goals against his former team to guide Bidvest Wits to a 2-1 away win over Cape Town City.

Kaizer Chiefs had the chance to cut Sundowns’ lead to just three points in one of two night matches, but they were held 0-0 at home by Bloemfontein Celtic to leave the gap to the top at five points.


The other match which finished off Saturday’s action was also a goalless stalemate, with AmaZulu holding Free State Stars at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem.

The Absa Premiership will continue with two midweek fixtures, before another full round next weekend on March 2-4.

Absa Premiership results

Friday, February 23

Maritzburg United 2-1 Platinum Stars

Saturday, February 24

Baroka FC 1-1 Polokwane City

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 SuperSport United

Cape Town City 1-2 Bidvest Wits

Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Bloemfontein Celtic

Free State Stars 0-0 AmaZulu


Sunday, February 25

Chippa United 2-4 Orlando Pirates

Golden Arrows 1-0 Ajax Cape Town