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PSL wrap: Pirates, CT City make ground on Wits, Sundowns

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Luvuyo Memela of Orlando Pirates celebrates with Musa Nyatama and Vincent Pule

Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City both picked up vital victories over the weekend, which saw them gain ground on Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race after the latter played out to a 1-1 draw.

Friday:

Chippa United 1: 1 Golden Arrows

The weekend’s action got under way as the Chilli Boys took on Abafana Bes’thende, with both sides looking to edge away from the relegation battle. The away side got off to the perfect start as Knox Mutizwa opened the scoring after 23 minutes, but a Lerato Manzini goal in the 70th minute ensured that the sides shared the spoils.

Saturday:

Polokwane City 1:1 Kaizer Chiefs

Rise and Shine hosted the Amakhosi, with both sides level on points heading into the encounter. Chiefs were looking to pick up the three points to climb the table, and got off to a decent start as Daniel Cardoso got his third goal in three games when he converted from the penalty spot with just 15 minutes played.

It did not, however, take the home side long to find the equaliser, as a Walter Musona strike from range somehow slipped through the arms of Daniel Akpeyi six minutes later.

Neither side could find a winner and were forced to settle for a draw.

Cape Town City 3:2 Maritzburg United

City got off to a flier in what proved to be a humdinger against basement dwellers Maritzburg as Thamsanqa Mkhize opened the scoring in the 7th minute.

After a tight first half the Team of Choice hit back in the second as Mxolisi Kunene equalised in the 62nd minute.

Benni McCarthy’s men then took control of the game as Gift Links and Riyaad Norodien gave them a 3-1 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

There was, however, drama at the end, as first Fortune Makaringe pulled one back for the visitors before Rushine de Reuk was sent off in injury time, sparking a melee between the two benches.

Bidvest Wits 1:1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Masandawana started the top of the table clash in fine fashion as Phakamani Mahlambi tapped in a rebound with just seven minutes played.

The game was then turned on its head in the space of 10 minutes when Gift Motupa capitalised on a defensive error before Wayne Arendse was sent off seven minutes later.

Downs looked to sit back and play for the point, and the Clever Boys just couldn’t break down their opponents as the much hyped-up clash ended 1-1.

Orlando Pirates 4:1 AmaZulu

Knowing they could move into second with a big win, Orlando Pirates went out looking to make a statement against AmaZulu on Saturday evening.

That is exactly what they did as they blew their opponents away after going behind through a Jabulani Ncobeni goal with 12 minutes gone. Goals from Kudakwashe Mahachi, Luvuyo Memela and Justin Shonga saw them take a 3-1 lead into the break.

Ben Motshwari then got the fourth in the second half as the Bucanneers move into second ahead of Sundowns on goal difference.

SuperSport United 1:2 Baroka FC

SuperSport were looking for their third win in a row against an inconsistent Baroka side on Saturday evening.

It was the visitors, though, who took the lead through a penalty from Mduduzi Mdantsane. The home side hit back as Mxolisi Macupu equalised just after the break.

Baroka found a winner 12 minutes before time as Thato Madigoe got his name on the scoresheet.

Sunday:

Bloemfontein Celtic 2:3 Free State Stars

Desperate for points, Stars faced a tricky encounter away to Celtic, but Sinethemba Jantjie put them in control of the game with a first-half brace which came either side of Harris Tchilimbou’s strike as Stars led 3-0 at the break.

The home side staged a late fightback as Mbhazima Rikhotso and Sepana Letsoalo both scored in the final 20 minutes, but it proved too little too late as the visitors picked up three vital points.

Black Leopards 0-0 Highlands Park

Owen de Gama’s team face a tricky encounter against Leopards with both teams looking to stay clear of relegation battle.

The game, however, was a tight and dull affair despite Khuliso Madau receiving his marching orders for Leopards with 60 minutes gone.

0-0 the final score with neither side showing enough endeavour to merit a win.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix