Sundowns open with dramatic win; Chiefs top after second win

Luke Baartman © Gallo Images

The first midweek round in the new Betway Premiership season saw Mamelodi Sundowns open their campaign with a dramatic win, while Kaizer Chiefs top the log as the only team to record back-to-back wins thus far.

Chiefs – who suffered a surprise exit from the MTN8 at the weekend – bounced back in style by outclassing Sekhukhune United 2-0 at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to second-half goals from Luke Baartman and Mduduzi Shabalala.

Champions Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, dropped their first points by drawing 1-1 with hosts AmaZulu at the Kings Park Stadium.

The Buccaneers claimed an early lead via former Usuthu winger Tshepang Moremi, but missed several good chances to extend their lead and were pegged back by a penalty from Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, KwaZulu-Natal rivals Durban City and Golden Arrows played out a 0-0 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium, while Milford FC secured their first Premiership win by defeating Siwelele FC 1-0 at the Richards Bay Stadium thanks to a second-half goal from Menzi Chili.

Tuesday’s headline result came from the Mbombela Stadium, where Mamelodi Sundowns came from 1-2 down to claim a stunning 3-2 win over hosts TS Galaxy, thanks to two late goals from unlikely hero Sphelele Mkhulise.

Elsewhere, rookies Kruger United earned their first top-flight point with a 0-0 draw away to Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Chippa United and Richards Bay drew 1-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium (with the Natal Rich Boyz scoring via a long-range stunner from Tuli Nashixwa), and the clash between Polokwane City and Stellenbosch FC ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

A topsy-turvy game at the Seshego Stadium saw Polokwane come from 1-2 down to 3-2 up, before a late own goal from the unfortunate Lindokuhle Mathebula saw the Western Cape side claim a share of the spoils.

The Premiership will continue with a full round of fixtures this coming weekend, headlined by a heavyweight clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK RESULTS

Tuesday 11 August

Chippa United 1-1 Richards Bay

Marumo Gallants 0-0 Kruger United

Polokwane City 3-3 Stellenbosch FC

TS Galaxy 2-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Wednesday 12 August

AmaZulu FC 1-1 Orlando Pirates

Durban City 0-0 Golden Arrows

Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Sekhukhune United

Milford FC 1-0 Siwelele FC

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