Betway Premiership: Sundowns bounce back, Pirates fall again

Mamelodi Sundowns registered their first victory of the 2025-26 Betway Premiership season on Tuesday while Orlando Pirates continued a disappointing start to their campaign.

Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring for reigning champions Sundowns early in the second half as Masandawana shutout AmaZulu by a 2-0 score. After surrendering the lead to Chippa United in a surprising 1-1 draw from their league opener, Rayners put the hosts ahead in Pretoria on an assist from Tashreeq Matthews before the winger found the goal himself in second half stoppage time.

It seemed like Orlando Pirates would also enter the winning column away at Marumo Gallants when Patrick Maswanganyi put the Bucs ahead in the 16th minute. However, Zimbabwe international forward Daniel Msendami leveled just before halftime and substitute Jaisen Clifford scored his first goal in South Africa’s top flight to win it in the final moments for Gallants, prompting a chorus of jeers from the traveling Pirates faithful.

The defeat marks new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s second league defeat in two games after a winning start over Polokwane City in the quarterfinals of the MTN 8. Pirates fell at home by a 0-1 score to Sekhukhune United in their league opener over the weekend.

In a battle of newcomers to the Betway Premiership, Orbit College edged Siwelele FC 1-0 courtesy of Letsie Koapeng’s second half match winnger. Orbit College gained promotion to the top flight after winning the Premier Soccer League’s promotion/relegation playoff at the end of last season while Siwelele are in their first season of operation after purchasing the Betway Premiership license of defunct side SuperSport United.