10-man Chiefs with clutch win; City held in derby

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 20, 2022. 22:18

A busy Saturday of action in South Africa’s DStv Premiership featured a clutch win for 10-man Kaizer Chiefs, while Cape Town City are still waiting for their first three-pointer of the season after they were held 1-1 in a derby clash with Stellenbosch FC.

The grudge match at a cold but lively Cape Town Stadium had a South American flavour to it, with Venezuelan Darwin Gonzalez putting the Citizens ahead late in the first half with a fine header, but Stellies’ Argentine Junior Mendieta replied with an equally excellent nodded effort of his own in the second half to see the game end 1-1.

As a result, Cape Town City remain winless this season after five league outings, while the Maroons remain unbeaten from their opening four Premiership matches.

The night games then produced victories for Chiefs and Maritzburg United. Looking to avoid a third defeat in their opening four matches, the Amakhosi were in trouble when they were reduced to 10 men just a third of the way into their clash with Richards Bay at Moses Mabhida Stadium, but ultimately they put in a determined effort to claim all three points thanks to a second-half penalty from Dillon Solomons – with the result lifting them to eighth place on the log.

As for the Natal Rich Boyz, the defeat was a first in the top flight and leaves them in fourth place on the log – as they missed out on the chance to join AmaZulu on 10 points at the top of the standings.

Maritzburg, meanwhile, picked up their first win of the season when they edged Chippa

Chippa United 2-1 at Harry Gwala Stadium, thanks to an injury-time winner from Amadou Soukouna.

Earlier goals from Etiosa Ighodaro and Friday Samu had left the game looking like it would end in a draw, but ultimately the Team of Choice claimed all three points to rise to ninth place on the log on six points, while the Chilli Boys are 12th with four points from as many outings.

The afternoon matches saw Golden Arrows remain winless after being held 0-0 at home by unbeaten TS Galaxy, while Sundowns stuttered again in the early stage of the season, as they were held 1-1 by hosts Sekhukhune United in Polokwane.

The Brazilians claimed the lead just before half time through Peter Shalulile, but Linda Mntambo equalised almost immediately after kick-off in the second stanza, as Babino Noko took two points off the reigning league champions.

The round of DStv Premiership fixtures will be completed on Sunday 21 August with two further matches: Royal AM will welcome Marumo Gallants to Chatsworth Stadium (kick-off 3pm CAT) and Orlando Pirates will visit SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm CAT).

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 20 August

Sekhukhune United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Golden Arrows 0-0 TS Galaxy

Cape Town City 1-1 Stellenbosch FC

Maritzburg United 2-1 Chippa United

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Richards Bay