Chiefs’ thrilling win headlines SA’s Absa Premiership

Lebogang Manyama of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Tebogo Potsane of Bloemfontein Celtic

Saturday Dec 07, 2019. 22:28

South Africa’s Absa Premiership continues to be dominated by Kaizer Chiefs, with their thrilling 5-3 triumph over Bloemfontein Celtic the headline result of a busy Saturday in the top-flight league.

The Amakhosi – despite trailing three times to Phunya Sele Sele at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the night game – claimed an eighth straight win to open up a 10-point advantage over nearest chasers SuperSport United.

Samir Nurkovic scored a hat-trick, while Leonardo Castro also chipped in with two goals (the first of which was Chiefs’ 1000th in the PSL) as Ernst Middendorp’s team demonstrated the full depth of their resourcefulness and determination.

The afternoon matches both ended in draws, with Black Leopards and AmaZulu playing out a goalless stalemate in Thohoyandou, while Baroka FC scored two goals in the final eight minutes of regulation time to hold Orlando Pirates 2-2 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Linda Mntambo and Kabelo Dlamini fired the Buccaneers into a two-goal lead, but an own goal from Happy Jele and a 90th minute strike from Gerald Phiri Jnr earned the hosts a point.

The early-evening clash at Athlone Stadium saw Chippa United continue their excellent recent form by defeating hosts Cape Town City 1-0. The Chilli Boys netted through Augustine Kwem to move out of the relegation zone, while the Citizens have plunged to just one point off the bottom of the log.

The Absa Premiership’s weekend action will wrap up on Sunday with Polokwane City hosting Maritzburg United.

Absa Premiership results, Saturday 7 December

Black Leopards 0-0 AmaZulu

Baroka FC 2-2 Orlando Pirates

Cape Town City 0-1 Chippa United

Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 Bloemfontein Celtic