DStv Premiership wrap: Race for second heats up

Chiefs celebrate scoring during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 2 April 2022 © Deryck Foster/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Apr 02, 2022. 21:36

The race for second place in the DStv Premiership is heating up after Royal AM and Kaizer Chiefs both claimed important victories as part of five matches played across South Africa on Saturday 2 April.

Royal ensured that they retained second spot with an impressive 4-1 away win over TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium in an afternoon clash. Goals from Victor Letsoalo (two), Ndumiso Mabena and Mfundo Thikazi secured the victory for Thwihli Thwahla, who opened a five-point lead over third-placed Chiefs.

The Amakhosi, however, responded with a 3-1 away win over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in an early-evening clash to close the gap back to two points. Samir Nurkovic, Keagan Dolly and Cole Alexander struck for the Soweto side, while Bienvenu Eva Nga was on target for the Chilli Boys, who remain three points clear of the relegation zone.

An evening clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium produced a five-goal thriller, as Golden Arrows twice came from behind to defeat SuperSport United.

The visitors from Tshwane twice claimed the lead through Jamie Webber (penalty) and Selaelo Rasebotja in the first half, with a spot kick from Abafana Bes’thende’s Nduduzo Sibiya in between to leave it at 1-2 by the interval.

However, the second stanza was a nightmare for Matsatsantsa, who had both Thamsanqa Gabuza and Iqraam Rayners shown straight red cards, before Knox Mutizwa equalised and Velemseni Ndwandwe netted the winner with just over 10 minutes to play.

The afternoon also featured a 1-1 draw between Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United at the Danie Craven Stadium, which featured a brilliant opening goal from the visitors’ Justin Shonga, followed by an equaliser from Juan Oritz in the second half.

Another night clash, between Maritzburg United and Swallows FC at the Harry Gwala Stadium, was called off due to inclement weather.

The DStv Premiership will continue on Sunday 3 April with Cape Town City hosting Baroka FC, before a full midweek round of matches on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 April.

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 2 April

TS Galaxy 1-4 Royal AM

Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Sekhukhune United

Chippa United 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs

Golden Arrows 3-2 SuperSport United

Maritzburg United v Swallows FC – Postponed