‘Downs, SuperSport get the better of Soweto giants

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Sep 20, 2023. 22:33

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs were shown up by their Tshwane counterparts Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the headline results of the midweek DStv Premiership action.

Sundowns made it seven wins from as many matches at the start of the league season, edging Pirates 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Brazilians claimed the victory thanks to a first-half penalty from Lucas Ribeiro, but were forced to defend stoutly in the second half by a Buccaneers team which probably gave them their toughest test thus far in 2023-24.

At the Peter Mokaba Stadium, SuperSport defeated Chiefs 1-0 thanks to a goal inside the opening 70 seconds from Terrence Dzvukamanja and a resilient defensive performance, while another 1-0 win came for Sekhukhune United away to Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium (with Larry Bwalya’s 18th minute strike separating the teams).

Wednesday also saw a 0-0 draw between TS Galaxy and Cape Town City at the Mbombela Stadium – a result which stops the rot of four straight losses for the Citizens.

The midweek action kicked off with a trio of matches on Tuesday, headlined by a sixth straight defeat for Cape Town Spurs, who slumped to a 2-1 loss at home to Golden Arrows. The Urban Warriors led through Ashley Cupido, but Abafana Bes’thende struck twice via in-form Lungelo Nguse for their fourth win from seven league outings.

Tuesday also saw Chippa United come from behind to defeat Richards Bay 2-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium via an Elmo Kambindu brace, while Stellenbosch’s struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Moroka Swallows. The Birds’ goals were netted by Ntsako Makhubela and Tshegofatso Mabasa.

The log table is headed by Sundowns (21 points from 7 matches), with Arrows (14 from 7), SuperSport (13 from 6), Swallows (10 from 6) and Sekhukhune (10 from 6) rounding out the top five. Chiefs (8 from 7) and Pirates (7 from 5) are in eighth and 11th respectively, while the bottom two spots are occupied by Spurs (0 from 6) and Bay (5 from 7).

The DStv Premiership will continue through next week, with four matches scheduled to run from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 September.

DStv Premiership midweek results

Tuesday 19 September

Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Moroka Swallows

Cape Town Spurs 1-2 Golden Arrows

Richards Bay 1-2 Chippa United

Wednesday 20 September

TS Galaxy 0-0 Cape Town City

Orlando Pirates 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

SuperSport United 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Royal AM 0-1 Sekhukhune United