‘Downs, Pirates and Royal AM the winners

Tshegofatso Mabasa of Orlando Pirates challenged by Junaid Sait of Swallows FC during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 football match between Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg on 11 September 2021 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Sep 12, 2021. 20:38

Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Royal AM all claimed important wins on an entertaining weekend of DStv Premiership action in South Africa.

Sundowns put in a performance of ruthless efficiency on Sunday evening to defeat fellow heavyweight Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Goals from Grant Kekana and Peter Shalulile took the Brazilians to victory – and a place at the top of the log – as they stamped their authority in a clash against a potential title rival.

The Amakhosi, meanwhile, will reflect on a performance in which they matched the champions in most aspects, but were unable to capitalise on their chances – including a late missed penalty from Lebogang Manyama.

Sunday’s mid-afternoon kick-off saw history made, as Royal AM registered their first ever Premiership win, defeating Chippa United 1-0 at the Chatsworth Stadium. A penalty from Victor Letsoalo early in the second half saw Thwihli Thwahla claim their first three-pointer of the 2021-22 season and move from last place to 12th on the log, while the Chilli Boys suffered their first loss of the campaign under Gavin Hunt and remain in eighth – missing out on a chance to go top of the table.

Saturday’s headline result saw Orlando Pirates defeat Swallows FC in the ‘original Soweto derby’, with Tshegofatso Mabasa netting late on for the Buccaneers to give them a first win of the season.

Elsewhere, TS Galaxy twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Golden Arrows – with Sinethemba Mngomezulu scoring a late equaliser; Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at Makhulong Stadium; and Maritzburg United are up and running in the Premiership after a 1-0 away win over Baroka FC, in which Richard Zumah grabbed the key goal and the teams had Thamsanqa Masiya and Bongokuhle Hlongwane sent off respectively.

The DStv Premiership will continue with AmaZulu hosting SuperSport United on Tuesday 14 September, before a full round of games spread from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 September.

DStv Premiership weekend results

Saturday 11 September

TS Galaxy 2-2 Golden Arrows

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Swallows FC

Baroka FC 0-1 Maritzburg United

Sekhukhune United 1-1 Stellenbosch FC

Sunday 12 September

Royal AM 1-0 Chippa United

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Kaizer Chiefs