Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates goal with teammates during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at Soccer City in Johannesburg on 28 September 2024 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Saturday Sep 28, 2024. 22:15
Mamelodi Sundowns trumped fellow heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday to continue their perfect start to the Betway Premiership season, while Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants each claimed a first win of the season.
Chiefs, in a new era under coach Nasreddine Nabi, were hoping to end a nine-game winless run against Sundowns in the teams’ clash at the FNB Stadium this afternoon, and appeared to be on course to do exactly that when Ranga Chivaviro put them ahead as early as the ninth minute.
But the Brazilians showed their class with a quick double strike on 31 and 37 minutes from Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners respectively, ensuring that they claimed a third successive win at the start of the season and topped the log on nine points.
The afternoon also featured a 2-0 home win from Sekhukhune United over Golden Arrows, with Babina Noko triumphing on the back of strikes from Tresor Yamba Tshibwabwa and Mcedi Vandala to be just two points behind Sundowns.
In the early-evening match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Royal AM played to a fourth draw from as many league matches this season, as they were held 0-0 by hosts Magesi FC.
The night matches saw Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants each secure a first win of the new league season.
At Athlone Stadium, the Citizens defeated SuperSport United 1-0 thanks to a 34th-minute goal from Prins Tijueza, while the Free State Stadium was the venue for Gallants’ 1-0 triumph over AmaZulu – courtesy of a first goal in South African football for Zimbabwean Daniel Msendami. The result also sees Usuthu drop to the bottom of the log after three losses from as many league outings this season.
The Betway Premiership continues with three further matches on Sunday 29 September: Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates, Chippa United v TS Galaxy, and Polokwane City v Stellenbosch FC.
Betway Premiership results, Saturday 28 September
Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sekhukhune United 2-0 Golden Arrows
Magesi FC 0-0 Royal AM
Cape Town City 1-0 SuperSport United
Marumo Gallants 1-0 AmaZulu FC
