Match week 1 in the DStv Premiership certainly lived up to the hype of the new season in Mansi’s top flight! Mlu Mdletshe discusses the match results, reports and more!
Friday, 4 August
Sekhukhune United 1 – 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Rhulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns picked up where they finished off last season with an emphatic 2-1 victory of Sekhukhune United in Friday night’s opening match of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.
Goals from Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro sealed the victory for Downs, while Jamie Webber pulled one back for Babina Noko at the hour mark.
Net! Smart-taken free kick by Webber.
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) August 4, 2023
Sekhukhune 1-2 Sundowns. pic.twitter.com/9GWOyxrgsO
Saturday, 5 August
Golden Arrows 1 – 1 Swallows
Lamontville Golden Arrows failed to hold on to their one-goal lead after Siyanda Mthanti opened the scoring in the 51st minute as Swallows fought back to equalize through Tshegofatsp Mabasa in the 77th minute.
Both sides looked menacing from the opening stages of the game, with Arrows dominating the corners and set plays while Steve Komphela’s men had the majority of the ball possession.
SuperSport United 2 – 0 Richards Bay
Gavin Hunt’s men did well to get their DStv Premiership off to the perfect start as they ran out 2-0 winners over Richards Bay on Saturday.
Goals from debutants Terrence Dzvukamanja and Etiosa ghodaro were enough to sink the Natal Rich Boyz, while Matsatsantsa gave a stellar performance in front of their supporters.
Hunt will be delighted with the way the Swanky Boys dominated the proceedings despite missing some good chances, especially in the first half.
Royal AM 0 – 0 AmaZulu
The KZN Derby between AmaZulu and Royal AM ended in a dull 0-0 stalemate at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday evening.
With Thwihli Thwahla having made no signings during the off season, troubles were always going to be evident on the field of play as the side struggled to make an impact on the game. The result meant AmaZulu are now winless in their last 11 KZN derbies ahead of their next match against SuperSport on Wednesday. Royal AM visit Pirates in their next encounter.
Stellenbosch FC 1 – 0 Orlando Pirates
A well-constructed goal by Antonio van Wyk on the verge of half-time was enough to see Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch overcome the Buccaneers at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening.
Pirates looked to extend their pre-season form into the league, but it wasn’t to be as they failed to capitalise on their chances , while the Sellies were also very stubborn in defence. Barker’s work has been immense for the side since his arrival in 2017 and the Stellies hierarchy have locked him into a new long-term deal in October last year.
Stellenbosch take all three points after taking the first half lead.
— Thomas Mlambo (@thomasmlambo) August 5, 2023
For Pirates, lots of possession but no cutting edge.. pic.twitter.com/vcJoJTmP33
Sunday, 6 August
TS Galaxy 1 – 0 Cape Town Spurs
Cape Town Spurs suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy in their return to Mzansi’s top-flight football inside the Mbombela stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Galaxy bossed around proceedings from the get go and looked to set a pacy tone to the game from kick-off.
Both sides were locked in a 0-0 stalemate by half-time, but it would be an 86th minute own goal by Cohen Stander that turned out to be the difference on the day, leaving the Urban Warriors scrambling for an equalizer in the late stages of the game.
Chippa United 0 – 0 Kaizer Chiefs
Amakhosi were frustrated to a 0-0 draw by Chippa United at Mses Mabhida Stadium in their opening game of the season.
Chiefs gave four new signings their DStv Premiership debuts in the form of Ranga Chivaviro, Edson Castillo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango. Meanwhile, Goodman Mosele and Augustine Mulenga were making their debuts for the Chilli Boys.
The match was even in terms of possession and on the half-hour mark Chippa built up a good attack which culminated in Augustine Mulenga heading the ball into Chiefs’ goalkeeper Brandon Peterson’s hands from Azola Matrose’s cross.
Chiefs were on the front foot but looking tentative in the final third. The Chilli Boys came back into the match as half-time neared.
Cape Town City 1 – 0 Polokwane City
Cape Town City began their new campaign with a late 1-0 victory over newly promoted Polokwane City on Sunday evening.
Rise and Shine found themselves under immense pressure form the start of the game and could not deal with the tricky runs from the City wingers Jaedin Rhodes and Taahir Goedeman.
Jaedin Rhodes was even more troublesome for Polokwane City’s left-back with his pace and trickery, as he proved to be the creator in chief for City throughout the first half. With 25 minutes on the clock, the home side looked dangerous going forward, particularly on Rhodes’ side of the pitch.
The two debutants for City on the night, Tshegofatso Nyama and Joaquim Paciência combined in the 92nd minute of the match to gift the Cape Town outfit a boost in their League opener on home soil.
