Midweek wrap: Clutch win for Chippa, Pirates held

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday May 03, 2023. 22:03

A clutch win for relegation-threatened Chippa United was the headline result of the midweek DStv Premiership action, as well as a draw for Orlando Pirates which prevented them from taking a stranglehold of second place.

Pirates could have opened a four-point lead over SuperSport United in the race for second place had they beaten Royal AM in Wednesday’s mid-afternoon match, and they looked on course to do just that when 17-year-old debutant Relebohile Ratomo forced an own goal early in the second half.

However, former Buccaneer Menzi Masuku headed home in injury time at the end of the game to salvage a 1-1 draw for Thwihli Thwahla and deny Pirates a seventh successive league victory.

The round’s action opened on Monday with Swallows FC claiming a 2-1 away win over Kaizer Chiefs (thanks to goals from Gregory Damons and Bongani Sam) which effectively secured survival for the Birds and punctured the Amakhosi’s runner-up ambitions.

The race for second took another turn in Pirates’ favour on Tuesday when SuperSport United were held to a goalless draw by Stellenbosch FC at TUT Stadium, but the Buccaneers were unable to capitalise.

Wednesday’s late afternoon kick-off continued the theme of late equalisers when Given Msimango’s injury-time penalty cancelled out Chibuike Ohizu’s first-half spot kick to see TS Galaxy hold Sekhukhune United 1-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and claim a valuable point in their fight against relegation.

And on the subject of the dreaded drop, Chippa United secured a clutch win to be just goal difference away from safety, as they defeated Richards Bay 3-2 away from home.

The Chilli Boys were two goals down inside the opening 25 minutes, but Etiosa Ighodaro’s first-half reply and a brace from Aviwe Mqokozo in the final quarter hour secured a huge victory for the Eastern Cape side.

Maritzburg United (16th) and Marumo Gallants (14th) sit below and above Chippa respectively after their 2-2 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium, in which the Team of Choice twice gave up a lead, culminating in an injury-time equaliser from the visitors’ Mpho Mvelase.

Mamelodi Sundowns also shipped a late goal to miss out on victory, as they gave up a 2-0 lead (established by Bongani Zungu and Peter Shalulile) to draw 2-2 at AmaZulu. The Durban side’s goals were netted by former Brazilians star Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Sede Dion.

In addition, Cape Town City and Golden Arrows played to a goalless stalemate in the ‘Mother City’.

The DStv Premiership will feature one match this coming weekend, with Marumo Gallants and Mamelodi Sundowns – two teams involved in CAF club competition – facing off at Peter Mokaba Stadium on the evening of Saturday 6 May.

DStv Premiership midweek results

Monday 1 May

Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Swallows

Tuesday 2 May

SuperSport United 0-0 Stellenbosch FC

Wednesday 3 May

Orlando Pirates 1-1 Royal AM

Sekhukhune United 1-1 TS Galaxy

Maritzburg United 2-2 Marumo Gallants

Cape Town City 0-0 Golden Arrows

Richards Bay 2-3 Chippa United

AmaZulu 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns