Pirates' struggles in DDC continue
by Kickoff writer · KickOffOrlando Pirates slow start to the DStv Diski Challenge continued after playing to a 1-1 draw with Kruger United at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday.
Pirates looked to bounce back from last weekend’s loss at Siwelele FC to climb up the table and show intend towards defending the title after Thurston Phillips provided the opener on the half-hour mark following a swift counter-attack.
It didn’t go to script for the Buccaneers as the debutants bounced back ten minutes later through a close-range finish into the roof of the net by Ayabulela Magidigidi with a delivery from the right.
With the point each, the Buccaneers leaped up position from ninth to eighth on the table while Kruger jumped from 13th to sit in 10th spot.
TS Galaxy 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns continued their winning streak to keep pace with the pace-setters following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.
Sundowns, who were on a high on the back of the 3-0 victory over Kruger United, hit the ground running on the half-hour mark with a simple finish by Simphiwe Mlondo following a loose ball in the box.
The Rockets restored parity minutes ahead of halftime through a cross-cum shot into the far side of the net from right-back by Siyanda Xulu.
Galaxy were able to hold their own, albeit buoyant from the equaliser but were pegged back once again midway in the second half as Mlondo tucked in the area to riffle in the back of the net and confirmed the points.
Durban City 0-0 Milford FC
Durban City put an end to their run of three successive defeats and winless start to the campaign following a goalless draw with Milford FC at the Chatsworth Stadium in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.
It is also City's first point of the campaign as they remain rooted to the foot table.
Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Siwelele FC
Stellenbosch FC’s frustrating start to the campaign continued following a goalless draw against Siwelele FC at the Idas Valley Stadium.
Both teams were on a high particularly the visitors who defeated the holders Orlando Pirates and on a two-match winning run, as Stellies got their campaign up and running at home to Polokwane City and looked to build on it.
However, there was no separation of sorts out in Winelands as neither side managed to find the decisive touch in front of goal and subsequently settled for a goalless draw.
Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 Marumo Gallants
Kaizer Chiefs’ solid and hundred percent start in the DStv Diski Challenge continued after thrashing Marumo Gallants 4-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday.
Having netted the winner last weekend at Richards Bay FC, a certain Keitumetse Lesia continued where he left off and bagged the opener early in the first half in composed fashion following a defence-splitting pass.
Chiefs extended the lead in an equally superb manner on the half-hour mark following a left-footed free-kick in the near corner by Tashiel Rugunana and saw the team to a two-goal advantage at the break.
There was no slowing down from the Amakhosi and piled more misery five minutes in the second half after a high-press from Steve Mendes led to a defensive error and ultimately their third goal.
Chiefs added more goals as the second stanza opened up and saw Samkelo Msimango found space to pick a shot in a composed manner to give them a four-goal victory.
Polokwane City 2-1 AmaZulu
Polokwane City registered their first win of the campaign and ended a run of three successive defeats after getting past AmaZulu 2-1 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
In an uncharacteristic start to the season for Rise and Shine, there was no margin for error against Usuthu who have been experienced the opposite start to hover in the top-two.
However, the Rise and Shine showed superiority to get their campaign up and running as Usuthu suffered their first loss and dropped to fifth spot.
Sekhukhune United 4-1 Chippa United
Chippa United’s dismal week continued and suffered any heavy defeat after going down 4-1 to Sekhukhune United at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Chippa hit the ground running in the fifth minute when Olwethu Rampai rounded the defence for a simple finish.
Babina Noko rallied back after two minutes from going behind through a thumping header by Thokolo Medupi following a pin-point corner-kick.
Chippa continued to crumble down and sliced open again in the opening-quarter of the first half after Ntando Thwane pounced on a defensive mix-up in the box and rattled the back of the net.
The latter was at the thick of things again moments to the half-hour mark and managed to get a first half brace with a well-taken finish off the head after latching onto a free-kick.
Chippa got a chance to get back in the game before the interval with a penalty after a foul in the area, but Tumelo Kgasago was unable to beat Khumoetsile Rathokolo who saved the resultant spot-kick.
The missed penalty haunted the Chilli Boys as Thwane charged on a spill from Rathokolo and thumped in from close-range to secure his hat-trick.
Richards Bay 0-1 Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows secured a third successive win following a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay FC in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.
With the match tight throughout and a goalless outcome looming, Abafana Besthende snatched the winner in the dying minutes through a smash-and-grab from fullback Katlego Moloi.
While it’s a third straight victory for Abafana Besthende, it is the exact opposite for the Natal Rich Boys who suffered three consecutive defeats.