Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 Orbit College
Kaizer Chiefs moved into second, level on points with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, following a 4-1 win over Orbit College, set on their way by a brace from Mdu Shabalala.
Chiefs have 22 points from 11 matches this campaign, behind The Brazilians on goal difference only, in what is their best start since the 2019/20 season.
It is the first time they have scored more than one goal in a league game since the opening day, when they won 2-0 at Stellenbosch FC, and the Amakhosi will be hoping their goal-shy forwards are starting to find form.
To be fair, they should have had more than two goals, and they were almost made to pay when Orbit pulled one back through Ayanda Lukhele’s header on 70 minutes from Yanga Madiba’s excellent cross.
But a few minutes later, Shabalala picked out Mfundo Vilakazi on the right of the box, and the latter curled a left-footed shot into the top corner before Flavio da Silva added a late fourth.
It is the first time Chiefs have scored four goals in a league game since they beat Chippa United 4-0 in October 2021.
It was arguably their best display of the season and a further sign that momentum is shifting at Naturena.
Sekhukhune United 1-1 Richards Bay
Sekhukhune missed the opportunity to go top of the table and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Richards Bay, despite leading deep into the second half at home.
It was no classic, but Sekhukhune, who were looking to end a run of three defeats in a row, took the lead on 68 minutes after an own goal from Tshepo Mabua, who got a low cross caught in his feet and bundled it over the line.
Gabadinho Mhango netted his second goal in as many games to equalise for Richards Bay, who continue their fine run with a second 1-1 draw on the road in four days.
But this will feel like two points dropped for Sekhukhune.
AmaZulu came into the game hoping to climb as high as third in the table, but instead had Polokwane City leapfrog them after the visitors won 1-0 in Durban.
Bulelani Nikani scored his first goal since October last year to seal the points and claim a second away win of the season for Polokwane.
For Usuthu, it was a first home defeat after they had won their previous four matches in front of their own fans.
Chippa United stay bottom of the table after being held 0-0 by fellow strugglers Magesi FC and remain with just a single victory in 12 league games this campaign.
The point does move Magesi out of the drop zone and sends Stellenbosch FC into it, and it was the visitors who created the better chances in the game.
These are dark days for Chippa, who have flirted with relegation often in recent seasons but always escaped. Will their luck run out this year?