Pirates claim bragging rights, Swallows still unbeaten

Siphesihle Ndlovu of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with teammates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on the 30 January 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jan 30, 2021. 19:34

The headline result of South Africa’s DStv Premiership for Saturday 30 January was a 2-1 victory for Orlando Pirates over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium, while Swallows FC remain unbeaten after holding SuperSport United.

Goals from Thembinkosi Lorch and Siphesihle Ndlovu led the Buccaneers to a third straight win over their arch rivals (including victories in the semifinal of the MTN8 earlier this season) and a place five points off the summit of the league standings.

The Amakhosi, meanwhile, appear to be slipping back to their poor early season form. They have now gone three league matches without a win and manager Gavin Hunt will be furious at his team’s wastefulness in front of goal.

Later in the day, another Soweto giant, Swallows FC, kept up their unbeaten run by fighting back to hold SuperSport 1-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The Birds, as was the case last week against log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, came from a goal down to salvage a draw, as Joseph Mhlongo’s equaliser cancelled out Lucky Mohomi’s early opener. The result sees Matsatsantsa and Swallows remain in second and third place respectively, two points off the pace set by ‘Downs.

Elsewhere, Bloemfontein Celtic ended a six-game winless run by edging Tshakhuma Tshakhuma Madzivhandila despite being down to 10 men; TS Galaxy continued their good recent form by thumping Black Leopards 3-0 (a result which sends Lidoda Duvha to the bottom of the log on goal difference); and Golden Arrows won a hard-fought KwaZulu-Natal derby over Maritzburg United 2-1, thanks to goals from Lindokuhle Mtshali and Knox Mutizwa.

The DStv Premiership will wrap up its weekend action with two matches on Sunday 31 January: Mamelodi Sundowns will host Chippa United and Cape Town City will visit Baroka FC.

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 30 January

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs

SuperSport United 1-1 Swallows FC

Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 Tshakhuma TM

Golden Arrows 2-1 Maritzburg United

Black Leopards 0-3 TS Galaxy