Orlando Pirates Drop Points as Kaizer Chiefs Are Hammered in Diski Challenge Weekend
League leaders Orlando Pirates saw their winning streak in the DStv Diski Challenge come to an end after being held to a 1–1 draw by TS Galaxy on Sunday.
The Buccaneers trailed at half-time after the Rockets stunned them with a first-half strike and threatened to pull off an upset. Pirates, however, showed resilience in the second half to claw their way back and secure a share of the spoils, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches. Galaxy, meanwhile, stretched their winless sequence to three games. Pirates remain top of the standings, though their lead has been cut to five points over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Orbit College produced a dominant display to hammer Kaizer Chiefs 4–1, extending Amakhosi’s winless run to three matches. Chiefs remain fifth on the table, but their title defence looks increasingly unlikely as they now sit 16 points adrift of the summit. The debutants continued their strong form, stretching their unbeaten run to five matches and climbing to 11th place after leapfrogging Durban City.
Sundowns tightened their grip on second place with a convincing 2–0 win over Sekhukhune United at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday. Siyabonga Mabena opened the scoring late in the first half before Gomolemo Kekana wrapped up the points early in the second stanza to seal a comfortable victory for the Brazilians.
Golden Arrows handed Stellenbosch FC their first defeat of the year with a 2–1 triumph at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. After a level first half, goals from Siphamandla Shangase and Khulekani Shezi powered Abafana Besthende to a third successive win, while Stellies lost ground on the leading pack.
Siwelele FC were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw against AmaZulu at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium. After a goalless opening half, Manelis Mazibuko struck for the hosts to earn a vital point. Siwelele remain fourth on the table despite failing to return to winning ways.
There was little to separate Durban City and Polokwane City, who played out a 0–0 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium. Both sides remain mid-table as inconsistency continues to hamper their progress.
At the Gelvandale Stadium, Marumo Gallants FC ran riot with a 5–2 victory over bottom-placed Chippa United. Ndzalama starred with four goals as the Chilli Boys slumped to a seventh straight defeat, while Gallants surged into the top eight. Mathew added the other goal for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa as they bounced back strongly from last weekend’s setback.
Finally, Richards Bay FC snapped a six-match losing streak with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Magesi FC at the Seshego Stadium. Asimbonge Mdunge struck late to lift the Natal Rich Boys up to ninth on the table, while Magesi slipped into the bottom three.