There were wins for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United, as three DStv Premiership games took place on Wednesday.
AmaZulu 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Samir Nurkovic returned to the Chiefs starting line-up to give the Amakhosi a 1-0 win over AmaZulu on Wednesday.
AmaZulu were fortunate to not have Thembela Sikhakhane sent off in the third minute, when he fouled Happy Mashiane with a bad tackle. He was just shown a yellow.
Samir Nurkovic opened the scoring for Chiefs in the 11th minute, scoring his first goal of the season in his first start. While he was technically in an off side position, the ball was played back to him by Usuthu’s Sinethemba Sithebe, and the Serbian took full advantage.
Nurkovic was at the centre of much of the first half action, including being involved in a scuffle with Tupelo Xoki, with both players being booked.
The second half was equally as physical, as Benni McCarthy’s team looked for a way back into the game.
Xoki came narrowly close to equalising in the 63rd minute as his header from a Sithebe free kick had Daniel Akpeyi beaten, but it also went just off target.
A first defeat for Benni McCarthy as AmaZulu coach, and a much-needed three points for Gavin Hunt, just their second win of the campaign, as they move up to 10th on the log.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 0-3 Orlando Pirates
Pirates got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory over TTM at the Thohoyandou Stadium.
Deon Hotto opened the scoring just after the fifteen minute mark, scoring on his second attempt after his initial shot was cleared off the line, with Washington Arubi stranded.
It was one way traffic as the Buccaneers continued to threaten TTM’s goal, and in the 38th minute, the pressure was finally too much as Gabadinho Mhango doubled the lead with a good finish, and Pirates led 2-0 at halftime.
Fortune Makaringe made it three when he scored a great goal from just outside the area.
It was a good win for Josef Zinnbauer’s team, and in truth, it could even have been a much higher scoreline.
Pirates up to 4th on the table, while TTM remain 12th, and without a victory in six games.
SuperSport Utd 2-1 Bloemfontein Celtic
SuperSport moved into second-place, level on points with Swallows, with a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic.
Thamsanqa Gabuza continued where he left in off in their last game, when he opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
Celtic were given a penalty in the 19th minute when Grant Kekana brought down Ndumiso Mabena. Victor Letsoalo took the spot kick and made no mistake.
Bradley Grobler headed SuperSport back into the lead just before halftime. It was his 10th goal of the season, and the goal also made him SuperSport’s all-time leading goalscorer.