Betway Premiership: Relegation battlers Magesi and Gallants earn crucial points

Three matches on Saturday from South Africa’s Betway Premiership served as an appetizer before Sunday’s major title clash between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The bottom half of the table was on full display and all three games featured fiercely bought battles with more fouls than shot attempts. Playing simultaneously in the early matches, Marumo Gallants and Magesi FC grinded their way to 1-0 victories.

Magesi, previously consigned to the bottom of the table earlier in the year, continue to embrace a pragmatic approach under coach Owen da Gama who is doing spectacularly with last season’s second tier champions. Lehlegonolo Mokone’s first half goal was the difference in a big result over visiting Golden Arrows at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane. Magesi’s last four matches have featured one goal each, three of which have gone in their favor.

In Cape Town, Marumo Gallants earned a gritty result of their own in similar circumstances over hosts Cape Town City. Malawian footballing legend Gabadinho Mhango struck in the 7th minute to move Gallants out of the relegation zone. The former Premiership top scorer with Orlando Pirates during the 2019-20 season now has five goals this season for Gallants.

In the late match, Chippa United moved further away from the drop zone at the expense of Polokwane City with a 2-0 result. The struggles continue for early season surprise package Polokwane who continued their free fall out of the top five. Defender Azola Ntsabo’s first career top flight goal was followed by an own goal from Polokwane’s Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire.

Tomorrow features the league’s top sides and the aforementioned Sundowns-Pirates clash, where reigning champions Sundowns can all but put away any doubts.

Results

Friday

AmaZulu 1-2 TS Galaxy

Saturday

Magesi 1-0 Golden Arrows

Cape Town City 0-1 Marumo Gallants

Chippa United 2-0 Polokwane City

Sunday fixtures

Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Richards Bay vs Kaizer Chiefs

Sekhukhune United vs Stellenbosch

League Table