Pirates miss chance to reclaim top spot; wins for Chippa, AmaZulu & Durban City

The Betway Premiership’s first block of weekend action in 2026 was headlined by Orlando Pirates missing out on the chance to reclaim top spot on the standings, while Chippa United, AmaZulu and Durban City secured victories.

The weekend’s action opened on Friday night at the Umhlathuze Stadium, with Richards Bay and Siwelele FC sharing the spoils after a 1-1 draw. The returning Kgaogelo Sekgota scored in the first minute to put the team in green and white into an early lead, but the Natal Rich Boyz struck back in injury time before the interval via a penalty from Moses Mthembu.

Saturday featured two games, with the more prominent one hosted at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, where Sekhukhune United held Orlando Pirates to a goalless stalemate.

The result saw the Buccaneers miss out on the chance to leapfrog into first place – instead, they are level with champions Mamelodi Sundowns on 29 points apiece. Sundowns are ranked ahead with a superior goal difference (+15 to +13), but the Soweto giants have a game in hand.

Saturday’s other clash came from the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg, where Chippa United secured a key win – and their first victory under coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi – by defeating hosts Orbit College 1-0.

Justice Figuareido provided the decisive moment on the hour mark, lifting the Chilli Boys to 15th place – just one point and one position behind the Mswenko Boyz, as the relegation scrap continues to intensify.

On Sunday, AmaZulu FC secured a thrilling 3-2 triumph over TS Galaxy to pick up a fifth win from their last seven league outings and rise to fourth place on the log.

Usuthu twice found themselves behind to goals from the Rockets’ Victor Letsoalo (his 50th in the top flight) and Junior Zindoga (his first), but substitute Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scored twice – including the injury-time winner – and provided an assist for Mondli Mbanjwa as the home side emerged victorious in stunning fashion.

The final match of the weekend saw Durban City defeat 10-man Polokwane City 1-0 at the Chatsworth Stadium, courtesy of a 19th-minute goal from Bokang Mokwena. The KwaZulu-Natal side rose into the top six on the back of their seventh league win of the season.

The Betway Premiership continues this coming midweek, with Sekhukhune United v Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, 27 January, and Marumo Gallants v Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday, 28 January.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND RESULTS

Friday 23 January

Richards Bay 1-1 Siwelele FC

Saturday 24 January

Orbit College 0-1 Chippa United

Sekhukhune United 0-0 Orlando Pirates

Sunday 25 January

AmaZulu FC 3-2 TS Galaxy

Durban City 1-0 Polokwane City