Sundowns take full control of the title race

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025. 21:19

Champions Mamelodi Sundowns have taken full control of the Betway Premiership title race after a trio of catch-up matches played across South Africa on the evening of Wednesday 30 April.

Sundowns have stretched their lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates out to 12 points, thanks to a combination of their 3-0 win over Richards Bay and the latter’s surprise 1-0 home loss at the hands of Sekhukhune United.

The Brazilians cruised to victory over the Natal Rich Boyz at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with an eighth-minute strike from Arthur Sales setting the tone for their domination.

Iqraam Rayners (28’) and Marcelo Allende (48’) added further goals, as Miguel Cardoso’s side racked up a 19th win from 23 league matches this season and took a major stride toward an eighth successive title.

Contributing to that was the Buccaneers’ defeat at the Orlando Stadium to Sekhukhune. Babina Noko scored the only goal of the game via Tresor Yamba (57’) to compound a miserable few days for the Soweto giants, who also exited the CAF Champions League this past weekend in heartbreaking fashion. They even ended this game with 10 men following a late red card for Nkosinathi Sibisi.

Pirates have two games in hand on Sundowns, but even assuming they claim the full haul of points from those, they will still be six points off the pace of the leaders as the season enters the final stretch.

Sekhukhune’s win not only affected the title race, it also boosted their own hopes of finishing third on the log and playing in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. United maintained a four-point lead over fourth-placed Stellenbosch FC (who have a game in hand) – with the Cape Winelands team defeating Chippa United 1-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Stellies had to sweat for the win, only striking in the 83rd minute via Sanele Barns, as they were able to put their own CAF club disappointment behind them.

The Betway Premiership will continue this weekend with a full round of fixtures, headlined by the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 3 May.

Midweek Betway Premiership results

Wednesday 30 April

Orlando Pirates 0-1 Sekhukhune United

Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Chippa United

Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Richards Bay