Pirates get first win; Sekhukhune & Chiefs lead the way

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Aug 20, 2025. 21:51

Orlando Pirates picked up their first win of the Betway Premiership, while Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs lead the way at the top of the log after they kept up their perfect starts to the season in a full round of midweek matches on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 August.

Pirates were in action on Wednesday evening and bounced back from successive defeats to start the league by edging Stellenbosch FC 1-0 thanks to Kamogelo Sebelebele’s 15th-minute goal. The Buccaneers are up to 11th, while the club from the Winelands are winless from their first three matches and sit above the relegation playoff zone only on goal difference.

Wednesday also saw Marumo Gallants drop points for the first time this season, as they were beaten 1-0 by AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium. Hendrick Ekstein’s strike late in the first half handed Usuthu their second win of the season.

At the same time, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns racked up a second successive win and moved to third place by defeating Magesi FC 2-0 at the Seshego Stadium. Jayden Adams and Peter Shalulile struck in the final quarter of the match to overcome the stubborn resistance of Dikwena tsa Meetse.

Tuesday saw Sekhukhune and Chiefs continue their perfect starts to the league season, with the former thrashing Orbit College 3-0 at Dobsonville Stadium, while the latter edged Richards Bay 1-0 at the FNB Stadium.

Babina Noko’s triumph (which saw them leapfrog to first place on goal difference) was headlined by a hat-trick of assists for Keletso Makgalwa (setting up Vusumuzi Mncube [two] and Tshepo Mokoane), while the Amakhosi made it three wins from as many league matches thanks to Gaston Sirino’s strike early in the second half.

Tuesday also brought a 4-1 triumph for TS Galaxy away to Chippa United, with the Rockets running riot on the back of a hat-trick of goals from Puso Dithejane; Durban City dropped points for the first time after being held 1-1 in a derby at home to Golden Arrows (Jerome Karelse’s own goal was cancelled out by an equaliser for Abafana Bes’thende by Sede Dion); and Polokwane City picked up their first win, defeating Siwelele FC 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium thanks to Keorapetse Sebone’s strike.

The Betway Premiership resumes next midweek with a full round of fixtures, headlined by the heavyweight bout between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Betway Premiership midweek results

Tuesday 19 August

Chippa United 1-4 TS Galaxy

Durban City 1-1 Golden Arrows

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Richards Bay

Orbit College 3-0 Sekhukhune United

Siwelele FC 0-1 Polokwane City

Wednesday 20 August

AmaZulu FC 1-0 Marumo Gallants

Magesi FC 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Stellenbosch FC