Absa Premiership weekend wrap: Pirates take advantage of Sundowns' absence

Justin Shonga of Orlando Pirates gets past the defence of Musa Bilankulu of Lamontville Golden Arrows during the 2017/18 Absa Premiership football match between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates at Princess Magogo Stadium, Durban on 17 March 2018 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Mar 19, 2018. 09:30

The weekend’s Absa Premiership action saw Orlando Pirates take full advantage of Mamelodi Sundowns’ absence to move to within a point of the leaders thanks to a 2-1 win at Golden Arrows on Saturday night.

Goals from Thembinkosi Lorch and Mthokozisi Dube saw the Buccaneers to victory over 10-man Abafana Bes’thende and pile the pressure on ‘Downs, who were in CAF Champions League action but now have a game in hand.

The weekend’s action got underway on Friday night with a 2-1 win for Maritzburg United over Polokwane City – courtesy of goals from Pogiso Sanoka and Siphesihle Ndlovu – to lift them up to third place on the log.

Saturday’s afternoon game saw Chippa United return to winning form as they edged Free State Stars 1-0 at Sisa Dukashe Stadium through a second-half strike from Abel Mabaso, while the early evening match saw Kaizer Chiefs held goalless at FNB Stadium by AmaZulu.

On Sunday, Bloemfontein Celtic pushed Platinum Stars ever closer to the prospect of direct relegation by winning 1-0 at home thanks to a second-half strike from Ndumiso Mabena. Dikwena are seven points adrift at the bottom of the table and have just six matches of the season to save themselves.

The Absa Premiership will go into recess during the upcoming international break and return with a full set of fixtures on the midweek of April 3-4.

Absa Premiership weekend results

Friday, March 16

Maritzburg United 2-1 Polokwane City

Saturday, March 17

Chippa United 1-0 Free State Stars

Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 AmaZulu

Golden Arrows 1-2 Orlando Pirates

Sunday, March 18

Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 Platinum Stars