Birds stay confident and thump Clever Boys

An own-goal by Mbulelo Mabizela and strikes from David Mathebula and Bennett Chenene handed Moroka Swallows a 3-0 win over Bidvest Wits in Dobsonville. ‘OJ’ scored the opener past his own keeper before the spectators found their seats, and Swallows, in a confident mood, were 3-0 up in 22 minutes.

Downs slip up, Bucs creep up on them

Mamelodi Sundowns slipped up again in their title challenge, drawing 0-0 with Golden Arrows, which means Orlando Pirates now equal them on points, behind Downs only on goal-difference.

Arrows were virtually a no-show, finding it impossible to break through the Brazilian defence, and Sundowns will rue their many missed chances. 

Meanwhile, in Durban, on-loan striker Tokelo Rantie netted an early goal to put Bucs in the lead, and they never relinquished it, holding out for a narrow but deserved 1-0 victory over AmaZulu.

Ea Lla Koto take Free State Derby

Free State Stars won the Free State Derby, beating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 and moving up to fourth in the process. Saname Wome and Paulus Masehe took Ea Lla Koto 2-0 up and they dominated the first 45. Lennox Bacela netted a consolation goal for Phunya Sele Sele, but Stars defended their lead well and deserved the win.

Dikwena safer, Santos in trouble

Platinum Stars took a couple more steps away from the relegation zone, and Santos a step closer, after Dikwena’s 2-1 win in Cape Town. Erwin Isaacs was red-carded early on for a dangerous tackle, but Eleazar Rodgers got his ninth goal of the season to open the scoring for the People’s Team. 

Santos looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and Stars only began to come into the match late on. Vuyo Mere converted a penalty in the 70th minute, and Patrick Malokase got the winner two minutes later. Santos tried to get back into the game but were held out by Stars’ sturdy defence.

No goals for Matsatsantsa – again

SuperSport United stretched their goalless streak to six consecutive League games – over 500 minutes – as they were held to a dull 0-0 draw by Maritzburg United. 

Urban Warriors fightback for the win against doomed Ezenkosi

Ajax Cape Town were back on form, scoring twice in the last eight minutes to claim a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Jomo Cosmos. The win ends Ajax’s three-match losing streak, while Cosmos, rooted to the bottom of the log, will regret giving away the three points. 

Katleho Loke put Ezenkosi ahead on 11 minutes, and they looked fairly in control. 

Maarten Stekelenburg made a double change just before the hour mark by introducing Tafadzwa Rusike and George Maluleka – clearly wanting more creativity and incisiveness in the final third of the field – but Ajax had to wait until the 82nd minute to finally create a clear scoring chance. Billiat made it 1-1, and turned provider four minutes later for Alcardo van Graan, in a dramatic turnaround for the Urban Warriors.