‘Downs dominant again; Stellies, SuperSport continue strong starts

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Sep 25, 2021. 20:28

Mamelodi Sundowns once again asserted their dominance over Orlando Pirates, claiming a 2-0 away win in the headline result of a busy Saturday afternoon in South Africa’s top flight.

The reigning champions continued their fine start to the league season with a fourth win from five matches (in which they are unbeaten and have yet to even concede a single goal) thanks to a brace from Namibian striker Peter Shalulile at Orlando Stadium.

The result hands Pirates their first loss of the league campaign, sees ‘Downs strengthen their grip on top spot on the log and further asserts their dominance over their fellow heavyweights, having now racked up four successive wins over the Buccaneers across all competitions in the calendar year 2021.

Saturday also saw AmaZulu rack up their first league win of the season, with an early penalty from Bonginkosi Ntuli seeing them defeat Baroka FC 1-0 in Durban, while league newcomers Sekhukhune United were held 1-1 by Golden Arrows at the Ellis Park Stadium: the latter team claimed the lead through Michael Gumede, but Babina Noko struck back late on through a Ysuf Maart spot kick.

The later kick-offs saw both Stellenbosch FC and SuperSport United continue their strong starts to the campaign and remain tied in second place, two points off the pace of ‘Downs.

Stellies defeated Chippa United 2-1 at the Danie Craven Stadium, with an own goal from the Chilli Boys’ Sammy Seabi proving to be the difference, while Matsatsantsa scored a last-gasp winner through Botswana defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe to defeat Maritzburg United 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The weekend round will wrap up on Sunday with two further matches, as Royal AM host TS Galaxy before a wounded Kaizer Chiefs look for a return to form when they face Marumo Gallants in Polokwane.

DStv Premiership results, 25 September

Orlando Pirates 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

AmaZulu 1-0 Baroka FC

Sekhukhune United 1-1 Golden Arrows

SuperSport United 2-1 Maritzburg United

Stellenbosch FC 2-1 Chippa United