Pirates Drop Points As Sundowns Surge
The second day of the DStv Diski Challenge festival at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday saw defending champions Orlando Pirates drop points for the second consecutive match, while Mamelodi Sundowns strengthened their position in the top four.
The Buccaneers went into their encounter against Kruger United hoping to return to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Siwelele last weekend. However, Kruger United denied Pirates a return to victory as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.
Pirates took the lead in the 30th minute through Thurston Phillips, but their advantage lasted just 10 minutes before Ayabulele Magidigidi equalised for Kruger United in the 40th minute.
Following the draw, the defending champions sit eighth on the league table, with just four points from their opening four matches of the season.
Meanwhile, Sundowns continued their impressive run by securing a 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy. The result handed the Rockets their first defeat of the campaign, while Sundowns became the first team to score against them in the league this season.
Sundowns broke the deadlock in the 30th minute through Simphiwe Mlondo, but Galaxy responded nine minutes later when Siyanda Xulu restored parity in the 39th minute.
However, Mlondo proved to be the difference between the two sides, completing his brace in the 68th minute to secure all three points for Sundowns.
The victory lifted Sundowns to fourth place on the standings with nine points from four matches. They have recorded three wins and suffered one defeat so far this season.
In other matches played on Sunday, Milford and Durban City played out a goalless draw in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
Two-time DStv Diski Challenge champions Stellenbosch FC also had to settle for a share of the spoils after playing to a 0-0 draw against Siwelele at Idas Valley Stadium.
