Betway Premiership: Sundowns edge Magesi, first league win for Orlando Pirates under Ouaddou

After three disappointing results to begin their 2025-26 league campaign, Orlando Pirates finally earned their first Betway Premiership victory while Mamelodi Sundowns earned a second straight league win on Wednesday.

The pressure was rising on Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou after a poor start but new signing Kamogelo Sebelebele provided the match-winning goal in the 15th minute for the Bucs to overcome tricky Stellenbosch FC. The recent transfer from TS Galaxy scored again on Wendesday, uncorking a beautiful effort from distance into the top corner to reward Ouaddou’s confidence in him with goals in back-to-back games.

It was a much improved effort from Pirates who should have had more goals and will give last season’s runners-up confidence heading into the second leg of their MTN 8 semifinal clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday. The first leg ended 1-1 at Orlando Stadium with Pirates having plenty of work to do in Pretoria.

For their part, Sundowns have yet to hit top gear but second half goals from Jayden Adams and Peter Shalulile helped Masandawana win 2-0 at Magesi FC on Wednesday.

It was a rather underwhelming effort from the reigning champions who had to suffer in the first half against their inspired hosts at the Seshego Stadium in Limpopo Province. However, Magesi failed to make it count on the scoreboard and Sundowns recovered with Adams putting the visitors ahead in the 74th minute following a chaotic sequence in the Magesi box when a corner kick fell into the mixer.

In the other game from Wednesday, Keegan Allen’s goal in first half stoppage time gave hosts AmaZulu a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in Durban. Action in the Betway Premiership resumes next Tuesday as South Africa’s football scene gets set to focus on the MTN 8 semifinal second legs on Saturday.

Wednesday Results

AmaZulu 1-0 Marumo Gallants

Magesi FC 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Stellenbosch

Tuesday Results

Chippa United 1-4 TS Galaxy

Durban City 1-1 Golden Arrows

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Richards Bay

Orbit College 0-3 Sekhukhune United

Siwelele 0-1 Polokwane City