The DStv Premiership’s final midweek round of 2020 saw champions Mamelodi Sundowns continue to lead the way, while Orlando Pirates’ penchant for important late goals continued in a dramatic win over 10-man Chippa United.
Sundowns impressed once again after they claimed a 2-0 home win over top-flight rookies TS Galaxy on Tuesday, December 15, with Peter Shaulile and Themba Zwane netting in the first and second halves respectively.
The Brazilians have taken 17 points from a possible 21 thus far and hold a two-point advantage over nearest chasers Swallows FC, who kept up their impressive return to the elite league with a 2-0 home triumph over bottom-of-the-log Maritzburg United at Dobsonville Stadium on the same evening – Ruzaigh Gamildien netted both goals for the Birds.
Orlando Pirates are just two points further back after they defeated Chippa United 1-0 at Orlando Stadium – thanks to an 86th-minute winner from Fortune Makaringe – in the headline result on Wednesday, December 16.
Chiefs, meanwhile, flattered to deceive again in losing 2-1 away to SuperSport United the day prior. Strikes from Bradley Grobler and Sipho Mbule saw Matsatsantsa to victory, while the Amakhosi ended the match with 10 men after the dismissal of Philani Zulu.
Tuesday also saw Cape Town City continue their impressive recent form with a 2-1 away win over derby rivals Stellenbosch FC, thanks to goals from Thabo Nodada and Craig Martin.
Wednesday, December 16 opened with a Limpopo derby between Black Leopards and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, which saw the latter fight back from 1-0 down at half time to claim a 1-1 draw for the third time in a row. Roderick Kabwe’s penalty was cancelled out by Rhulani Manzini’s second-half equaliser at Thohoyandou Stadium.
The derby theme continued with an all-Durban clash which saw Golden Arrows claim just a second win of the season (though they are, in fact, unbeaten in the league) by defeating hosts AmaZulu 2-0 at Kings Park Stadium, thanks to a penalty from Nduduzi Sibiya and a fine strike from Velemseni Ndwandwe.
Wednesday also saw Bloemfontein Celtic return to winning form by defeating Baroka FC 2-0 at the Dr Molemela Stadium. Late goals from Tumelo Mangweni and Ishmael Njoti proved the difference between the teams, as Phunya Sele Sele went some way to soothing the wounds of their MTN8 final defeat to Pirates this past weekend.
The DStv Premiership will wrap up for the year 2020 with a round of seven matches across the country this coming weekend, headlined by a clash between under-fire Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday evening.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
