Royal reclaim second spot; Chippa, Gallants with clutch wins

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Mar 06, 2022. 19:48

The weekend’s DStv Premiership action wrapped up with three matches across South Africa on Sunday, and the headline result saw upstarts Royal AM reclaim second spot on the log with a dramatic victory.

Thwihli Thwahla looked set for frustration at home to Swallows FC at the Chatsworth Stadium – especially after a red card for Zukile Mkhize with just under a quarter hour to play – but Mozambican veteran Elias Pelembe struck five minutes into added time to secure a stunning 1-0 win.

The promoted side move up to 36 points from 21 matches, displacing Kaizer Chiefs (35 points from 19 matches) who had taken second spot on Saturday with their triumph over Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby.

As for Swallows, they remained just one point above the relegation playoff zone and were dealt another blow with the news that one of their rivals in the battle to avoid the drop, Chippa United, secured a clutch win away to Golden Arrows.

The Chilli Boys were 2-1 victors at Princess Magogo Stadium thanks to a late goal from Sandile Mthethwa, opening up a three-point buffer to the red zone.

The final match on Sunday, played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, had Marumo Gallants claim a third successive win as they edged Stellenbosch FC 1-0.

Ndabiyithethwa Ndlondlo scored a sixth goal in the past four league matches to see his side to three points and 10th place – just one point off the top half of the log. Stellies remain in fifth, three points ahead of their vanquishers.

The DStv Premiership will resume with a trio of matches on Wednesday 16 March: Marumo Gallants v Chippa United, Sekhukhune United v Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates v SuperSport United.

DStv Premiership results, Sunday 6 March

Royal AM 1-0 Swallows FC

Golden Arrows 1-2 Chippa United

Marumo Gallants 1-0 Stellenbosch FC