Wins for Pirates and Sundowns in midweek action

Tshegofatso Mabasa of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Orlando Pirates and Chippa United, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 18 September 2024 © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Sep 18, 2024. 21:56

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns both got their Betway Premiership campaigns off to a winning start in the first block of midweek fixtures in South Africa’s 2024-25 top flight.

Sundowns, whose domestic season got off to a shaky start with elimination in the MTN8 at the hands of Stellenbosch FC, showed that they remain favourites to claim the league title after a 2-0 home win over Tshwane rivals SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld in Tuesday’s lone match.

The Brazilians triumphed on the back of goals midway through the second half from new signing Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Riberio.

In Wednesday’s headline game, Pirates – the team many consider the best placed to dethrone Sundowns – claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium.

Former Buccaneers star Andile Jali put the Chilli Boys ahead midway through the first half, but Tshegofatso Magasa brought the hosts level with a penalty in injury time before the interval.

The match seemed destined to end in a 1-1 draw, but Monnapule Saleng netted in the second minute of injury time at the end of the match to secure all three points for the Soweto giants.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Sekhukhune United defeated Limpopo rivals and newly-promoted Magesi FC 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium thanks to a debut goal from Andy Boyeli, while Golden Arrows secured a surprise 2-0 away win over Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium.

Siyanda Mthanti and Lungeo Nguse found the back of the net in the second half for Abafana Bes’thende.

The Betway Premiership continues on the weekend, with four matches on Saturday 21 September: Golden Arrows v Marumo Gallants, Magesi FC v Polokwane City, SuperSport United v Royal AM, and Chippa United v Richards Bay.

Betway Premiership midweek results

Tuesday 17 September

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 SuperSport United

Wednesday 18 September

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Chippa United

Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Golden Arrows

Sekhukhune United 1-0 Magesi FC