Absa Premiership weekend wrap: Pirates’ derby win steals the headlines

Joseph Molangoane of Kaizer Chiefs tackles Mthokozisi Dube of Orlando Pirates during the 2017/18 Absa Premiership football match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City, Soweto on 03 March 2018 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Mar 05, 2018. 09:30

The headline result of this past weekend’s Absa Premiership action was Orlando Pirates’ 3-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs, with the result seeing the Buccaneers establish themselves as the main threat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race.

The Soweto derby on Saturday was decided by two goals from Pirates substitute Luvoyo Memela, who inspired his side to a third successive victory and effectively ended the Amakhosi’s hopes of winning the championship.

The round got underway on Friday night, with Cape Town City breaking their losing streak by defeating Chippa United 2-0 at Athlone Stadium, thanks to goals from Ayanda Patosi and Lyle Lakay.

Sundowns took another stride toward the title by defeating AmaZulu 3-1 in Durban, with Sibusiso Vilakazi netting a brace for the Brazilians, while Bidvest Wits extended their unbeaten run to eight games but will have been disappointed to draw 1-1 at home to Baroka FC.

Saturday’s evening games saw SuperSport United begin life after Eric Tinkler with a goalless draw at home to Maritzburg United, while Platinum Stars remain the clear favourites to suffer direct relegation after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Free State Stars. Ea Lla Koto’s goals arrived late in the game from striker Mohammed Anas and saw them move up to third on the log.

Sunday saw Bloemfontein Celtic break their winless streak by defeating Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at home, while Polokwane City scored a last-gasp equaliser to hold Golden Arrows 2-2 at home.

The Absa Premiership will continue with a midweek catch-up fixture between Bloemfontein Celtic and Polokwane City.

Absa Premiership results

Friday, March 2

AmaZulu 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Bidvest Wits 1-1 Baroka FC

Cape Town City 2-0 Chippa United

Saturday, March 3

Orlando Pirates 3-1 Kaizer Chiefs

SuperSport United 0-0 Maritzburg United

Platinum Stars 1-2 Free State Stars

Sunday, March 4

Polokwane City 2-2 Golden Arrows

Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 Ajax Cape Town