Peter Shalulile scored a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. There were also wins for AmaZulu, their first in the league this season, SuperSport United, and for Stellenbosch.
The victory sees the defending champions remain at the top the DStv Premiership table after five rounds of football.
While there were chances for Thabiso Kutumela and Grant Kekana for Sundowns in the first half, and Bandile Shandu and Happy Jele had opportunities for Pirates, it remained goalless at halftime. Shandu’s chance was probably the best of the half, but Denis Onyango made a good save to deny the former Maritzburg United player.
And it was Sundowns who broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, as Peter Shalulile blasted in off the crossbar, after being set up by Kutumela’s cross.
A few minutes later Onyango saved Rushine De Reuck’s blushes by denying an own goal after a cross deflected off the defender. Substitute Haashim Domingo saw his effort deflected wide in the 69th minute, and from the resulting corner Grant Kekana headed off target.
Shalulile made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute, as the Namibian pounced on a deep cross from Lyle Lakay and made no mistake from an acute angle.
Substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa forced a save out of Onyango in the 83rd minute, and a minute later the Ugandan veteran made another good save to deny another substitute Kabelo Dlamini, who also shot wide in stoppage time.
Meanwhile at Kings Park Stadium, AmaZulu picked up their first league win of the season as they beat Baroka 1-0.
Bonginkosi Ntuli scored the winning goal for Usuthu, scoring from the penalty spot after Sphesihle Maduna was fouled in the box 15 minutes in.
In other afternoon game, Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows played to a 1-1 draw at Ellis Park Stadium.
There were no goals in the first half, but Arrows grabbed the lead just before the hour mark, as Michael Gumede put Lehlohonolo Seema’s team in front.
However Sekhukhune pulled level after Yusuf Maart scored from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, after Pogiso Sanoka was fouled in the box.
Later in day at the Danie Craven Stadium Stellenbosch continued their good form with a 2-1 win over Chippa United.
Stellies grabbed the early lead when Nigerian striker Stanley Dimgba made it 1-0 in the 8th minute.
Chippa were level in the 25th minute, with Sammy Seabi grabbing the goal.
But Steve Barker’s men grabbed the lead again in the 38th minute, thanks to an own goal this time from Seabi.
Meanwhile SuperSport United scored late to beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at the Lucas Masterpiece Moripe Stadium.
Thamsanqa Gabuza handed the home team the lead in just the 9th minute of the game.
But Lifa Hlongwane found the equaliser in the 58th minute, as he found himself one on one with Marcel Engelhardt after a deflected clearance.
And just when it looked to be a draw Thatoyoane Ditlhokwe headed in the winner for Kaitano Tembo’s team in stoppage time.
