Betway Premiership: Sundowns and Chiefs drop points on the road

A busy Wednesday in South Africa’s Betway Premiership saw Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs held to draws away from home.

Reigning champions Sundowns failed to move level with Orlando Pirates at the top of the table after a 1-1 result against Siwelele FC at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. Hosts Siwelele enjoyed an impressive first half and possessed a halftime lead after winger Tebogo Potsane set up Vincent Pule for his first goal since the season opener back in early August.

The defending champions rallied somewhat but failed to fully assert themselves and claim three points. Substitute Lebo Mothiba equalized in the 74th minute soon after coming on but the visitors’ efforts to find a match winner were hampered when Teboho Mokena was dismissed for a second yellow card seven minutes later.

For Kaizer Chiefs, it appears that their continental duties are beginning to have an impact on their domestic league form. No late goal arrived on Wednesday to save AmaKhosi from a lackluster effort in their 0-0 draw at strugglers Chippa United.

After an underwhelming start in the CAF Confederation Cup that saw them claim only one point from their opening two Group D clashes against Egyptian clubs Al Masry and Zamalek, a heavily rotated attack and midfield failed to thrive. The hosts, currently bottom of the table, failed to threaten Chiefs’ experienced defense but had little problem shutting down a weak attack.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Sekhukhune United snapped a five-match winless streak in all competitions with a 1-0 result at Magesi FC. Vusumuzi Mncube’s 6th minute goal was just enough for the third place side, who were not exactly inspiring but held on well to secure three points and remain in reach of the top-2. Pirates remain two points clear of the defending champions despite being out of action this week.

Durban City and Polokwane City were the other winners on Wednesday. Polokwane defeated hosts Stellenbosch FC 2-1 after the Western Cape side showed signs of making a push up the table while Durban City had no issues in a 3-0 victory at Orbit College.

Betway Premiership Midweek Results

Golden Arrows 0-1 AmaZulu

Magesi FC 0-1 Sekhukhune United

Stellenbosch FC 1-2 Polokwane City

Siwelele FC 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Chippa United 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Orbit College 0-3 Durban City