Premiership round-up: draws, breakthroughs and key points across the league

A NUMBER of Betway Premiership fixtures played over the weekend delivered tight contests, important points and movement on the table as teams continued to shape their campaigns.

Siwelele and Richards Bay share the points

Siwelele FC were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Richards Bay in their Betway Premiership encounter at the Umhlathuze Stadium on Friday night.

The result saw Siwelele climb to 10th on the league standings, sitting one point behind Richards Bay, who remained in ninth place. Richards Bay are now four points adrift of eighth-placed Durban City.

Siwelele made a flying start when Kgaogelo Sekgota marked his return to top-flight football with a goal inside the opening minute, handing the visitors an early lead and registering one of the fastest goals of the season.

Richards Bay responded by increasing the pressure, with Lundi Mahala striking the post in the ninth minute. Their persistence paid off in first-half stoppage time when Moses Mthembu converted from the penalty spot after Mahala was fouled in the box, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.

The second half belonged largely to Siwelele in terms of attacking intent. Vincent Pule was denied by a solid save from Ian Otieno in the 72nd minute, before Chibuike Ohizu missed a close-range chance moments later.

Otieno proved decisive in the closing stages, producing a series of saves to deny Christian Saile, Ohizu and Enoch Quaicoe, ensuring Richards Bay secured a point despite sustained late pressure.

Siwelele next turn their focus to a Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash against Richards Bay in early February, while Richards Bay prepare for a KwaZulu-Natal derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows on January 30.

Vilakazi earns first Chippa win

Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi secured his first victory in charge as the Chilli Boys edged Orbit College 1-0 at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Saturday.

Vilakazi had gone winless in his opening five matches since taking over in October, but Justice Figuareido’s 60th-minute strike proved enough to separate the sides.

Both teams created chances in the first half, with Chippa threatening early through Boy Madingwane and Azola Matrose, while Orbit came closest through Lethabo Modimoeng just before halftime.

The introduction of Figuareido at the start of the second half shifted momentum. The forward made his impact count when he raced onto a long ball, powered past two defenders and finished past Nkomo.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba nearly doubled the lead late on, but the single goal was enough to lift Chippa off the bottom of the table.

Leaner shines as Sekhukhune hold Pirates

Sekhukhune United and Orlando Pirates played out a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, extending Babina Noko’s unbeaten run against the Buccaneers this season.

Sekhukhune had beaten Pirates 1-0 in their earlier meeting, and goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner played a key role in ensuring another positive result, producing a series of saves throughout the match.

Pirates made five changes to their starting line-up and enjoyed long spells of pressure, particularly in the first half, but were unable to convert several promising opportunities.

Leaner denied Thalente Mbatha, Kabelo Dlamini, Patrick Maswanganyi and Kamogelo Sebelebele at various stages, while late chances for Bradley Grobler also went begging.

The draw saw Pirates pull level with Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the standings, with a game in hand, while Sekhukhune remained fourth, one point behind Kaizer Chiefs.

Sekhukhune host Sundowns next, while Pirates welcome Magesi as the title race continues to take shape.