Absa Premiership wrap: More frustration for Chiefs, Wits and SuperSport continue to shine

Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Given Mashikinya of Bloemfontein Celtic during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtics at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 29 August 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Aug 30, 2018. 13:00

The midweek round of Absa Premiership matches brought more frustration for Kaizer Chiefs, a third successive win for SuperSport United and a comfortable triumph for Bidvest Wits which consolidated their place at the top of the log.

The midweek action opened on Tuesday evening with Orlando Pirates returning to winning form by defeating Black Leopards 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The Buccaneers – who played the majority of the match with 10 men following a bizarre dismissal for Thamsanqa Gabuza – claimed all three points thanks to an own goal and fine finish by Vincent Pule, while Lidoda Duvha’s Joseph Mhlongo struck a brilliant consolation effort.

Wednesday’s headline result was a 2-2 draw between Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic – led by their former mentor Steve Komphela – at the FNB Stadium. The Amakhosi looked to be on course for a first league win of the season after going 2-0 up through Khama Billiat and Khotso Malope, but Phunya Sele Sele fought back to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign thanks to quick-fire strikes from Menzi Masuku and Ndumiso Mabena.

Celtic are placed second, two points adrift of Bidvest Wits after the Johannesburg team claimed an emphatic 3-0 win over AmaZulu, while SuperSport United are just one further point adrift in third after they completed a hat-trick of league wins by defeating Chippa United (and former mentor Eric Tinkler) 2-1 at home. For the third game in a row, Evans Rusike scored the decisive goal for Matsatsantsa.

The rest of the evening’s games all ended level: Golden Arrows and Polokwane City played out a 1-1 score line at the Princess Magogo Stadium, while Cape Town City and Baroka FC both struck injury-time equalisers to salvage draws away to Free State Stars (2-2) and at home to Highlands Park (1-1) respectively.

The Absa Premiership will return with a round of fixtures on September 15-16, following the upcoming international break.

Absa Premiership results, August 28-29

Tuesday, August 28

Black Leopards 1-2 Orlando Pirates

Wednesday, August 29

Free State Stars 2-2 Cape Town City

SuperSport United 2-1 Chippa United

Bidvest Wits 3-0 AmaZulu

Golden Arrows 1-1 Polokwane City

Baroka FC 1-1 Highlands Park

Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 Bloemfontein Celtic