Sundowns claim third straight PSL title

Mamelodi Sundowns winners of the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Black Leopards at Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, on 05 September 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Sep 05, 2020. 18:05

Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed a third successive Absa Premiership title after a thrilling season finale on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilians started the day as outsiders thanks to an inferior goal difference to log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, but a 3-0 home win over Black Leopards – with a hat-trick from Lebohang Maboe – combined with a 1-1 draw for the Amakhosi against Baroka FC, saw Pitso Mosimane’s men end two points clear at the top.

The Brazilians have now taken top spot in terms of overall league titles won in South Africa (13), while their triumph was also a 10th in the PSL era (1996/97 onwards) and a fifth in the past seven seasons.

Chiefs, who have gone five full seasons without a trophy and once enjoyed a 13-point lead at the top of the log, simply lacked the firepower and creativity to break down Bakgaga, who cancelled out Khama Billiat’s opener through Manuel Kambala to ensure they avoided the relegation playoffs.

Instead it is Leopards who will compete against Ajax Cape Town and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila for a place in next season’s top flight, while Polokwane City suffer direct relegation.

Polokwane were beaten 3-1 at Bidvest Wits, whose final match (their franchise has been bought out by Tshakhuma) brought a strong victory but was not enough to see them end in the top three, as Orlando Pirates claimed the final place in Africa, qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup with a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch.

The other key results were Bloemfontein Celtic’s 3-1 win over Maritzburg United and a 1-1 draw for Highlands Park away to AmaZulu – the combination of results saw Phunya Sele Sele end eighth to secure the final place in next season’s MTN8.

Absa Premiership results, Saturday 5 September 2020

Baroka FC 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Black Leopards

AmaZulu 1-1 Highlands Park

Chippa United 1-0 Golden Arrows

Bidvest Wits 3-1 Polokwane City

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Stellenbosch

Cape Town City 1-0 SuperSport United

Bloemfontein Celtic 3-1 Maritzburg United