Sundowns’ draw headlines weekend action in DStv Premiership

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Dec 05, 2021. 18:00

Mamelodi Sundowns continue to lead the way in South Africa’s DStv Premiership, though they could only draw away to Stellenbosch FC in the headline result of a truncated weekend of action.

Sundowns extended their unbeaten start to the season to 13 matches, but were forced to fight hard for a 1-1 draw away to Stellenbosch FC, with Lyle Lakay’s second-half equaliser cancelling out Junior Mendieta’s opener a few minutes before the break.

Saturday also saw AmaZulu and Royal AM play to a 0-0 draw in their derby at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Swallows FC salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Maritzburg United (with Wandisile Letlabika netting late on after Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s opener), and the match between Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City at FNB Stadium was cancelled after the hosts were unable to field a team due to a Covid-19 outbreak in their camp.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they defeated Chippa United 2-1 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium thanks to strikes from Michael Gumede and Pule Mmodi.

Sunday’s lone game saw second place up for grabs when SuperSport United hosted Sekhukhune United at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Both teams had a man sent off early on and the 10 v 10 battle looked set to end goalless until late on when Babina Noko’s Tshediso Patjie struck on the counter attack to see the visitors claim a 1-0 win and move into the ‘nearest chasers’ slot.

The DStv Premiership will continue with a full midweek round of fixtures on 7-8 December, headlined by upstarts Royal AM playing away to Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Benni McCarthy leading AmaZulu against his former team Orlando Pirates.

DStv Premiership weekend results

Saturday 4 December

Chippa United 1-2 Golden Arrows

AmaZulu 0-0 Royal AM

Swallows 1-1 Maritzburg United

Kaizer Chiefs v Cape Town City – Cancelled

Stellenbosch 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Sunday 5 December

SuperSport United 0-1 Sekhukhune United