Maritzburg stay alive, race for second closes up

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday May 13, 2023. 17:25

The penultimate round of DStv Premiership action saw Maritzburg United keep themselves in with a chance of survival, while the race for second place has closed up between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United.

Pirates held the advantage over SuperSport coming into Saturday’s games, but a 1-1 draw at home to Sekhukhune United (in which Terrence Dzvukamanja’s opener was cancelled out by Edwin Gyimah) allowed Matsatsantsa to draw level on points thanks to a 1-0 home triumph over Kaizer Chiefs, courtesy of a first-half goal from Ghampani Lungu.

The Buccaneers hold a slight edge over Matsatsantsa on goal difference (+15 to +13) but the identity of South Africa’s second representative in next season’s CAF Champions League (alongside Mamelodi Sundowns) will come down to their respective matches against AmaZulu and Sekhukhune next weekend.

Down at the bottom, Maritzburg kept their survival hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC, secured by a classy goal from Amadou Soukouna late in the first half at the Harry Gwala Stadium, while Chippa were dealt a morale-crushing blow with a 4-0 defeat at TS Galaxy.

The Rockets thrashed the Chilli Boys thanks to strikes from Kamogelo Sebelebele (two), Masilakhe Phohlongo and Nkosikhona Radebe.

With Gallants not in action (their round 29 game against Sundowns was played last week), the bottom three are all on 29 points, with only goal difference separating them: Gallants are 14th (safety) with -5; Chippa are 15th (relegation playoff) with -15; and Maritzburg are 16th (direct relegation) with -16.

Elsewhere, Golden Arrows moved into the top eight with a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in the Durban derby (Siyavuya Ndlovu scored the only goal for Abafana Bes’thende); Swallows guaranteed survival (and put themselves in position to possibly finish in the top half) with a 1-0 away win over Royal AM (Kagiso Malinga scored from the penalty spot); and Cape Town City extended Richards Bay’s winless run in the league to 13 matches with a 2-0 win (courtesy of strikes from Taariq Fielies and Khanyisa Mayo).

The DStv Premiership will wrap up with Maritzburg hosting champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday 16 May, followed by the remaining Round 30 fixtures on the afternoon of Saturday 20 May.

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 13 May

Royal AM 0-1 Swallows FC

Cape Town City 2-0 Richards Bay

Orlando Pirates 1-1 Sekhukhune United

Maritzburg United 1-0 Stellenbosch FC

TS Galaxy 4-0 Chippa United

SuperSport United 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Golden Arrows 1-0 AmaZulu

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