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Sundowns miss out on chance to reclaim pole position

football03 December 2025 20:30| © Backpage TXT
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Orlando Pirates held onto top spot in the Betway Premiership after Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points in midweek, while Kaizer Chiefs also slipped up to lose ground in the title race.

Sundowns survived a scare at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium as they held on for a 1-1 draw against Siwelele on Wednesday after being reduced to 10 men.

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The hosts took a surprise lead through Vincent Pule on 27 minutes, but they were eventually pegged back by Lebo Mothiba's equaliser on 74 minutes before Teboho Mokoena received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

The Brazilians trail the Buccaneers by two points in second place going into the mid-season break, while Siwelele moved up one to 11th position, level on 16 points with Golden Arrows (10th).

Sekhukhune United finally got back on the winning trail after they beat Magesi 1-0 at the Seshego Stadium courtesy of Vusumuzi Mncube's sixth-minute goal.

Babina Noko leapfrogged Polokwane City, Amakhosi and AmaZulu into third spot and found themselves just three points off the summit.

Dikwena tsa Meetse remained in danger at the other end of the table in 15th place, one point behind Stellenbosch.

Kaizer Chiefs missed out on the chance to keep pace with the frontrunners after they played out to a 0-0 draw with Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The Glamour Boys had opportunities to inflict more woe on the Chilli Boys, but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal as they dropped to fifth position, five points behind arch-rivals Pirates.

Meanwhile, Durban City gave an immediate response in the wake of Gavin Hunt's departure as they recorded a 3-0 victory over Orbit College at Olympia Park.

Thabo Nodada (45'), Samkelo Maseko (55') and Haashim Domingo (90+3') scored the goals to lift the Citizens up to seventh spot, leaving the Mswenko Boyz down in 13th place, two points clear of the danger zone.

Elsewhere, Stellenbosch's struggles in the league continued after they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Polokwane City at Athlone Stadium.

Rise And Shine led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Lebohang Nkaki (39' PEN) and Thabelo Tshikweta (45+1') before Langelihle Phili (59') halved the deficit, but the Maroons weren't able to find the equaliser and they have now lost three of their last four games to sit three points off the foot of the table in 14th spot.

In Tuesday's solitary match, AmaZulu claimed the local bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows in a KZN derby at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Riaan Hanamub's 56th-minute goal settled the contest as Usuthu climbed up to fourth position, one point behind Sekhukhune United, while Abafana Bes'thende find themselves four points outside the top eight in 10th place.

RESULTS

Tuesday, December 2

Golden Arrows 0-1 AmaZulu

Wednesday, December 3

Chippa United 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Magesi 0-1 Sekhukhune United

Orbit College 0-3 Durban City

Siwelele 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Stellenbosch 1-2 Polokwane City

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