Sundowns and Pirates lose
A dramatic slump by African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premiership continued Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto.
Defeat before a 60 000 crowd at Soccer City stadium meant the South African title-holders have taken just two points from four matches.
Before falling to Chiefs, Sundowns failed to score when drawing with Chippa United, losing to Cape Town City and drawing with Polokwane City.
Zimbabwean Khama Billiat gave Sundowns a 26th-minute lead against Chiefs that Bernard Parker cancelled before half-time.
Under pressure from Venezuelan Gustavo Paez, Ivorian Bangaly Soumahoro conceded an own-goal with 13 minutes left to gift the home team three points.
Pretoria-based Sundowns, who looked set to comfortably retain the South African title just a couple of months ago, are now in a five-club title race.
Wits beat Platinum Stars 2-0 in Johannesburg to take over first place with 41 points, two more than Chiefs and Cape Town City, who play Monday.
SuperSport United, whose 19-match unbeaten run ended with a stunning 1-0 home loss to bottom club Baroka, lie fourth with 37 points.
Star-studded Sundowns have 34 points, seven less than Wits with two matches in hand.
Chiefs have eight games to play, Cape Town and SuperSport nine, Wits 10 and Sundowns 12 in the chase for a 10 million rand ($745 000, 700 000 euros) first prize.
"Losing to Chiefs is a setback, but the title race is far from over," stressed Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.
It was a profitable day for foreigners with Zimbabweans Knox Mutizwa and Kudakwashe Mahachi scoring the goals that earned Golden Arrows a 2-1 win over Highlands Park in Durban.
Belgian Andrea Fileccia and Kenyan Brian Onyango scored for Maritzburg United in a 2-1 home win against Ajax Cape Town, whose goal came from Zambian Rodrick Kabwe.
Swedish coach Kjell Jonevret suffered his first league loss since being hired by struggling Orlando Pirates two months ago when they fell 3-2 to Free State Stars in Orkney.
Zimbabwean Tendai Ndoro converted a penalty for Pirates, elevating him to leading Premiership scorer with 12 goals.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Before falling to Chiefs, Sundowns failed to score when drawing with Chippa United, losing to Cape Town City and drawing with Polokwane City.
Zimbabwean Khama Billiat gave Sundowns a 26th-minute lead against Chiefs that Bernard Parker cancelled before half-time.
Under pressure from Venezuelan Gustavo Paez, Ivorian Bangaly Soumahoro conceded an own-goal with 13 minutes left to gift the home team three points.
Pretoria-based Sundowns, who looked set to comfortably retain the South African title just a couple of months ago, are now in a five-club title race.
Wits beat Platinum Stars 2-0 in Johannesburg to take over first place with 41 points, two more than Chiefs and Cape Town City, who play Monday.
SuperSport United, whose 19-match unbeaten run ended with a stunning 1-0 home loss to bottom club Baroka, lie fourth with 37 points.
Star-studded Sundowns have 34 points, seven less than Wits with two matches in hand.
Chiefs have eight games to play, Cape Town and SuperSport nine, Wits 10 and Sundowns 12 in the chase for a 10 million rand ($745 000, 700 000 euros) first prize.
"Losing to Chiefs is a setback, but the title race is far from over," stressed Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.
It was a profitable day for foreigners with Zimbabweans Knox Mutizwa and Kudakwashe Mahachi scoring the goals that earned Golden Arrows a 2-1 win over Highlands Park in Durban.
Belgian Andrea Fileccia and Kenyan Brian Onyango scored for Maritzburg United in a 2-1 home win against Ajax Cape Town, whose goal came from Zambian Rodrick Kabwe.
Swedish coach Kjell Jonevret suffered his first league loss since being hired by struggling Orlando Pirates two months ago when they fell 3-2 to Free State Stars in Orkney.
Zimbabwean Tendai Ndoro converted a penalty for Pirates, elevating him to leading Premiership scorer with 12 goals.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre