League leaders drop points yet again

Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City both failed to win on their return to action in the DStv Premiership on Saturday after the Africa Cup of Nations break.

The league leaders weren’t able to make their numerical advantage count after being held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld in the late kick-off.

Miguel Timm received his marching orders in the 54th minute for a second yellow card and the Brazilians opened the scoring through Marcelo Allende 22 minutes later, but Tapelo Xoki hit back for the Buccaneers from the penalty spot in the 80th minute to earn a share of the spoils.

Earlier in the day, Cape Town City missed out on the chance to slash the nine-point gap to Sundowns as they too drew 1-1 with Chippa United at the Buffalo City Stadium.

Khanyisa Mayo (23′) fired the Citizens in front midway through the first half, only to see Elmo Kambindu equalise for the Chilli Boys on 29 minutes.

The biggest winners on the day were Cape Town Spurs, who beat AmaZulu 3-1 at the Athlone Stadium to breath new life into their survival bid.

The two teams went into the break deadlocked at 1-1 after Abbubaker Mobara (30′) cancelled out Chumani Butsaka’s 14th-minute opener for the Urban Warriors, who claimed only their second victory of the season thanks to a brace from Ashley Cupido (56′, 84).

Spurs closed within six points of Richards Bay (15th) as Usuthu dropped down to ninth in the standings after seeing a three-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Polokwane City made some good gains with a 1-0 victory over Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium, where Mokibelo Ramabu scored the only goal of the game on 58 minutes.

Rise And Shine moved up to seventh spot, level on 27 points with Kaizer Chiefs, while the Dube Birds slipped down to 13th following an eighth game without a win.

Richards Bay’s struggles continued after the suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Babina Noko led as early as the 12th minute through Linda Mntambo before Moses Mthembu (64′) found an unlikely replay for the Natal Rich Boyz in the second half, but Chibuike Ohizu (67′) quickly restored the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot and Thamsanqa Masiya (90+3′) sealed the win at the death.

Saturday’s DStv Premiership results:

Chippa United 1-1 Cape Town City

Moroka Swallows 0-1 Polokwane City

Sekhukhune United 3-1 Richards Bay

Cape Town Spurs 3-1 AmaZulu

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Orlando Pirates