A midweek round of Betway Premiership action ended with Sekhukhune United at the top of the log after they handed Kaizer Chiefs a first defeat of the season, while Mamelodi Sundowns were held by Marumo Gallants and missed the chance to reclaim top spot.
Sundowns, who rose to the head of the standings this past weekend, could have gone back to first place on Wednesday night with a clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Gallants – a third stalemate from seven league matches for the Brazilians.
Sundowns took the lead via Iqraam Rayners on 28 minutes, only to be pegged back eight minutes later by Keanu Cupido's own-goal.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Richards Bay were unable to claim a win on their return to the Umhlathuze Sports Complex, drawing 1-1 with TS Galaxy.
The Natal Rich Boyz went ahead through Wandile Ngema (29’), only to be pegged back by Mlungisi Mbunjana (44’), and they missed a glorious chance to secure victory at the death when Tshepo Mabua missed a penalty.
Gallants hold Sundowns as AmaZulu and Polokwane win ⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 17, 2025
Sekhukhune Utd stay on top of the #BetwayPrem 👀#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/WUfzkD3oYa
At the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane City came from a goal down to defeat 10-man Golden Arrows 2-1 – with the match turning on a red card for Abafana Bes’thende’s Xolani Ngcobo and decided by a 96th minute winner for Rise and Shine’s Puleng Marema.
And Stellenbosch FC’s poor start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season continued unabated when they were beaten 2-1 by hosts AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Fresh from a defeat to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final this past weekend, Stellies would have been hoping to spark their stuttering league campaign to life, but they conceded two goals to Usuthu’s Hendrick Ekstein late in the first half (45’ & 45+3’).
Langelihle Phili (52’) pulled one back in a fighting second-half performance from the Western Cape side, but it was not enough to avoid a fourth defeat from six matches.
Sekhukhune made the headlines on Tuesday with a statement 3-1 win over Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.
Both teams came into the match unbeaten in the Premiership, but Babina Noko left Soccer City with all three points and top spot on the standings after becoming the first side to score against the Amakhosi in 2025/26.
Veteran striker Bradley Grobler was at the heart of United’s success, scoring in the fifth and 50th minutes (either side of an equaliser from Flavio Silva), as well as providing the assist for the visitors’ third, scored by Thabang Monare (56’).
Sekhukhune have left their mark on the teams from Soweto in the #BetwayPrem this season.#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/zGHpyePvR9
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 17, 2025
Tuesday also featured a first win for Chippa United, who rose off the foot of the table with a 2-1 triumph over Orbit College (who dropped to last place) at the Buffalo City Stadium thanks to goals from Xolani Sithole (36’) and Justice Figuareido (82’), while Durban City returned to form with a 2-0 victory over Siwelele FC at Chatsworth Stadium courtesy of strikes from Letsie Koapeng (42’) and Bokang Mokwena (52’).
The Betway Premiership will continue this coming weekend with six matches (AmaZulu FC v Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy v Kaizer Chiefs have been postponed due to the Soweto sides’ participation in CAF club preliminaries), headlined by champions Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Durban City.
MIDWEEK RESULTS
Tuesday 16 September
Chippa United 2-1 Orbit College
Durban City 2-0 Siwelele FC
Kaizer Chiefs 1-3 Sekhukhune United
Wednesday 17 September
AmaZulu FC 2-1 Stellenbosch FC
Marumo Gallants 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Polokwane City 2-1 Golden Arrows
Richards Bay 1-1 TS Galaxy
Orlando Pirates v Magesi FC – Postponed
