Champions Mamelodi Sundowns’ 53-match unbeaten run came to an end following their defeat to Cape Town City, while Orlando Pirates finished the 2023–24 DStv Premiership season as runners-up.
The Pretoria side was last defeated in the league in September 2022 by SuperSport United, having surpassed the previous record of 31 games unbeaten by Kaizer Chiefs early this season.
On sixty minutes into the game, Jaedin Rhodes punished a mistake made by Mothobi Mvala by racing through and shooting past goalie Ronwen Williams.
Man-of-the-match went to seasoned custodian Darren Keet, who repelled Sundowns in the last minutes with a string of saves.
Given Sundowns having not won on the road since last December, Cape Town had little hope of stopping them from becoming the first Premiership side to finish a season unblemished.
“We fought like lions. It was a helluva performance considering we missed a number of players due to illness and injuries,” said former South Africa international Keet.
“It was nerve-racking in the closing stages as Sundowns sought an equaliser, but these are the moments a goalkeeper lives for.”
Sundowns, who won their sixth consecutive championship early in May with six games remaining, finished with 73 points, 23 ahead of runners-up Orlando Pirates.
Despite being held 1-1 at home in Soweto by seventh-placed SuperSport United, Pirates won second place and CAF Champions League qualifying.
The attacker, who joined the Pirates from Moroka Swallows in the middle of the season, won the Golden Boot with his 16th league goal.
The Cape winelands team and fourth-placed Sekhukhune United will compete in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup after Pirates edged Stellenbosch on goal difference.
Stellenbosch resumed their end-of-season slide when they lost 2-1 against Richards Bay. Despite their victory, they were unable to avoid play-offs with two second division teams for a single Premiership spot.
Despite being held 1-1 at home in Soweto by seventh-placed SuperSport United, Pirates won second place and CAF Champions League qualifying.
The attacker, who joined the Pirates from Moroka Swallows in the middle of the season, won the Golden Boot with his 16th league goal.
The Cape winelands team and fourth-placed Sekhukhune United will compete in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup after Pirates edged Stellenbosch on goal difference.
Stellenbosch’s end-of-season slide continued when they lost 2-1 at Richards Bay; their victory was unable to keep them out of play-offs with two teams from the second division for a single Premiership spot.
Richards Bay ended second last as Royal AM defeated fellow strugglers Moroka Swallows 2-1 in Soweto to end a seven-match losing streak.
Already demoted Cape Town Spurs ended their season on a positive note, defeating fallen giants Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 with to goals from Michael Morton and Ashley Cupido.
After missing a trophy for nine straight seasons, the Chiefs, who have won a record 53 South African championships, placed 10th, their lowest placing in the Premiership.
Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
