Sundowns held, Sekhukhune edge Royal

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Nov 20, 2021. 19:51

A busy Saturday in South Africa’s DStv Premiership saw leaders Mamelodi Sundowns held 0-0 by Cape Town City, while Sekhukhune United edged Royal AM in their grudge match in Johannesburg.

The Citizens, in their clash at Cape Town Stadium in the early evening, became just the second team (after Chippa United) to take a point off the Brazilians this season, though the Tshwane side continue to enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the standings and have still yet to concede a goal, while the Capetonians are ninth, 13 points off the leaders’ pace.

At Ellis Park, Edwin Gyimah’s goal saw Sekhukhune defeat Royal 1-0 to move to third place, claim a fifth win from their last six league outings, end an eight-game unbeaten run from the visitors, and settle some bad blood between the clubs relating back to their squabble over who won last season’s GladAfrica Championship to earn direct promotion.

The afternoon matches featured a superb fightback from AmaZulu, who came from two goals down to hold unbeaten Stellenbosch FC 2-2 at the Danie Craven Stadium. The Maroons looked set for victory when Stanley Dimgba and Ashley Dimgba put them 2-0 up, but Usuthu fought back through Sphesihle Maduna and a freak goal from a corner kick by Keagan Buchanan to claim a share of the spoils.

The other 3.30pm kick-off, by contrast, was a prosaic 0-0 draw between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates at the Princess Magogo Stadium. The Buccaneers hit the woodwork twice and generally had the better chances, while Abafana Bes’thende will be concerned that their winless run has been extended to five matches.

The first early-evening kick-off saw Chippa United end a nine-game winless run by defeating Baroka FC 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium – in caretaker coach Kurt Lentjies’ first game in charge – thanks to a strike from Mogakolodi Ngele.

Elsewhere in the early evening, Marumo Gallants finally picked up their first win of the season, as Lerato Lamola’s late goal saw them claim a 2-1 triumph away to SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The DStv Premiership continues on Sunday 21 November with two further matches: TS Galaxy v Swallows in an afternoon clash at Mbombela Stadium, and Maritzburg United v Kaizer Chiefs at the Harry Gwala Stadium in an early-evening kick-off.

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 20 November

Golden Arrows 0-0 Orlando Pirates

Stellenbosch FC 2-2 AmaZulu

Baroka FC 0-1 Chippa United

SuperSport United 1-2 Marumo Gallants

Cape Town City 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Sekhukhune United 1-0 Royal AM