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Sundowns open 12-point lead as Pirates have game abandoned

football19 February 2025 19:40| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns have opened a 12-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership after a midweek round which saw six matches played across Tuesday and Wednesday and also brought a heavy defeat for Kaizer Chiefs.

Wednesday evening should have featured a trio of matches, but the clash between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale was abandoned before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch.

And Sundowns took full advantage of their title rival’s inaction, defeating Marumo Gallants 3-1 at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein to move 12 points clear of the second-placed Buccaneers (who now have three games in hand on the league leaders).

The Brazilians had to work hard for their victory, as they were 1-0 down at the break (Sede Dion gave the hosts a surprise lead), but second-half strikes from Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners ensured that they claimed the full three points on offer.

‘Downs also survived a late scare when goalkeeper Dennis Onyango was sent off and Thapelo Morena donned the gloves, as the Tshwane side had used up all five of their substitutions.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu played out a six-goal thriller at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium which ended 4-2 in favour of the hosts.

Andy Boyeli, Keletso Makgalwa and a late double from Linda Mntambo accounted for the Babina Noko goals, while Usuthu netted via Etiosa Ighodaro and Elmo Kambindu.

Tuesday’s action was headlined by a stunning 4-1 away win for SuperSport United over Kaizer Chiefs.

Matsatsantsa snapped a six-game winless streak in the league thanks to goals from Samir Nurkovic, Christian Saile (both former Chiefs players), Ghampani Lungu and Siphesihle Ndlovu, as the Amakhosi slumped to a seventh loss in their erratic Premiership campaign.

Tuesday also featured Chippa United beating Cape Town City (who have now gone five without a win across all competitions) 2-0 thanks to a brace from Sinoxolo Kwayiba; Magesi FC boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 away win over Polokwane City (with a goal from Thabang Sibanyoni); and Stellenbosch FC beat TS Galaxy by the odd goal in five, with the Cape side twice coming from behind to triumph on the back of strikes from Devon Titus and Ashley Cupido (two).

The Betway Premiership continues with another round of matches this coming weekend, Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February, headlined by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns playing host to Cape Town City and TS Galaxy respectively.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK RESULTS

Tuesday 18 February

Cape Town City 0-2 Chippa United

Kaizer Chiefs 1-4 SuperSport United

Polokwane City 0-1 Magesi FC

TS Galaxy 2-3 Stellenbosch FC

Wednesday 19 February

Marumo Gallants 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Sekhukhune United 4-2 AmaZulu

Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates – Abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch

Richards Bay v Royal AM – Postponed

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