Chiefs, ‘Downs ensure title race goes to final day

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Sep 02, 2020. 20:24

South Africa’s Absa Premiership is set for a thrilling finale on Saturday after title rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns remained neck-and-neck with wins in their respective matches on Wednesday evening.

Log leaders Chiefs edged nine-man Chippa United 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Khama Billiat – not the most convincing of results from the Soweto giants, but enough to ensure they need only match Sundowns’ result in the final round to claim their first championship since 2015.

‘Downs eased past Polokwane City 3-0 – with goals from Anele Ncongca, Themba Zwane and Keletso Makgalwa – to close the gap a little on goal difference (Chiefs’ is +21 to their +18) and keep in the hunt for a third successive title.

The Sundowns result also effectively relegated Polokwane, who are three points adrift of the playoff spot and have a significantly inferior goal difference to second-from-bottom Baroka FC.

Bakgaga suffered a 4-1 beating at the hands of SuperSport United, allowing Black Leopards (1-0 win over Bidvest Wits) and AmaZulu (1-1 draw with Stellenbosch) to put some daylight between themselves and the red zone.

Orlando Pirates claimed a second successive win by defeating Maritzburg United, with a strike from Frank Mhango to boost his hopes of winning the Golden Boot, but he faces stiff competition from Peter Shalulile, who netted the only goal of Highlands Park’s win over Cape Town City which puts them in a strong position to clinch a top-eight finish.

The 2019-20 Absa Premiership season will wrap up with eight simultaneous matches on the afternoon of Saturday 5 September.

Absa Premiership results, Wednesday 2 September

Stellenbosch 1-1 AmaZulu

SuperSport United 4-1 Baroka FC

Black Leopards 1-0 Bidvest Wits

Golden Arrows 0-0 Bloemfontein Celtic

Highlands Park 1-0 Cape Town City

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Chippa United

Polokwane City 0-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Maritzburg United 0-1 Orlando Pirates