Opening days wins for Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Sep 14, 2024. 22:11

Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs both claimed victories as South Africa’s new-look Betway Premiership got underway on Saturday with three matches across the country.

The main drama of the day came in the night clash at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium, as Polokwane came from a goal down to defeat AmaZulu 2-1.

Headers from Etioa Ighodaro and Bulelani Nikani had left the match on course for a 1-1 draw, but Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa – who just eight days ago made a notable howler between the posts for South Africa’s national team – was guilty of another calamitous error, which allowed Rise and Shine’s Tholo Matuludi to score an injury-time winner.

The league opened in the mid-afternoon at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg with a 1-1 draw between hosts Royal AM and Cape Town City.

The visitors claimed the lead just eight minutes after kick-off through Prins Tijuena, but Thwihli Thwahla earned a share of the spoils thanks to a spectacular equaliser from Motebang Sera late in the game.

In the late afternoon kick-off at the Free State Stadium, the Nasreddine Nabi era at Kaizer Chiefs got off to a winning start, as the Soweto giants came from a goal down to defeat 10-man Marumo Gallants 2-1.

Sekela Sithole put Bahlabane Ba Ntwa ahead early on, but the Amakhosi hit back quickly through Mduduzi Shabalala to see the game level at 1-1 at half time.

In the second stanza, the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Joseph Malongoane was sent off with a quarter hour to play, and Chiefs took full advantage shortly thereafter when substitute Mfundo Vilakazi provided a classy left-footed finish to claim the victory.

The Betway Premiership continues on Sunday 15 September with one match, as Richards Bay host TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Betway Premiership results, Saturday 14 September

Royal AM 1-1 Cape Town City

Marumo Gallants 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs

Polokwane City 2-1 AmaZulu FC