Betway Premiership wrap: Golden Arrows edge past Marumo Gallants for back-to-back wins

Golden Arrows secured their second consecutive victory in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants FC on Saturday afternoon.

Gallants made several changes to their lineup, introducing Daniel Akpeyi, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Vusi Sibiya, and Siyabulela Shai after their season-opening defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

Arrows, meanwhile, stuck with Knox Mutizwa and Keenan Phillips following their midweek triumph over Stellenbosch FC.

Marumo Gallants started brightly, with Sibiya’s header striking the post after 20 minutes.

Shai then came close, but Phillips made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny him.

However, Golden Arrows capitalised on their chances five minutes before the break. Mutizwa latched onto goalkeeper Edward Maova’s long ball, cutting inside to blast it into the net.

Just before half-time, Nduduzo Sibiya doubled Arrows’ lead, heading home a precise free-kick delivery.

Gallants tried to fight back but struggled to break down a resolute Arrows defence.

Ultimately, Golden Arrows comfortably held on for the win, continuing their perfect start to the season.

SuperSport and Royal AM are in a goalless stalemate

SuperSport United and Royal AM failed to spark in front of goal after playing to a goalless draw in their Betway Premiership clash at the TUT Stadium on Saturday.

It was the first point of the season for Matsatsantsa after they went down 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Tshwane derby on Tuesday.

It was a second successive draw for Royal AM after the KZN-based team played out a 1-1 stalemate against Cape Town City at home last week.

Royal AM chairman Andile Mpisane was again selected in the starting line-up but did not make an impact and was withdrawn at halftime by head coach John Maduka.

The visitors were better after the interval but could not penetrate the home defence in the final third as forward Motebang Sera found himself isolated.

SuperSport struggled to put passes together on a bumpy surface and that frustration was shown when both strikers, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Siviwe Magidigidi, were taken off.

The next clash for Matsatsantsa is Wednesday when they host TS Galaxy while Royal AM takes on Richards Bay in a KZN derby on Tuesday.

Polokwane City join Arrows at the top of the table with a win over Magesi

Rise And Shine soared to the top of the Betway Premiership alongside Golden Arrows with a 2-0 victory in the Limpopo derby against Magesi on Saturday.

Both teams failed to keep possession in the first 20 minutes of the match which saw both sides fail to penetrate the opposition in the final third.

However, the PSL debutants Magesi were disallowed their first top-flight goal in the 12th minute after the assistant referee flagged for offside, as the home side failed to penetrate the visitors in their half.

Polokwane City then pounced onto a Magesi defensive error to obtain the lead in the 30th minute after veteran Puleng Tlolane finished easily from the in-form Thabang Matuludi.

The second half was similar to the first half’s opening stanza, with both teams failing to carve out clear chances or maintain possession.

However, another defensive error from Magesi in the 73rd minute was enough to put the game beyond the reach of the PSL debutants, with Sibusiso Tshabalala slotting home unmarked in the box.

The winless Magesi remain bottom of the Betway Premiership and will be hoping for a change of fortune in their next league clash against Golden Arrows on Wednesday.

Chippa beat Richards Bay to clinch the first win of the campaign

In the final game of the day, Chippa United bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay in their league clash at the Buffalo City Stadium.

The Chilli Boys took the lead thanks to a defensive error from the visitors, which saw Thabiso Kutumela put the ball in the back of his own goal in the 39th minute.

The hosts struggled to create chances after the break, managing only one shot on target, but were also able to fend off the Richards Bay attack to clinch all three points.

The result secured Chippa their first points of the season, after losing the opening fixture against Orlando Pirates, while Richards Bay also have one win from two games.