JOHANNESBURG – MAMELODI Sundowns’ quest for reclaiming the title suffered a setback while defending champions Bidvest Wits inched closer to the relegation trap door at the resumption of the Absa Premiership this past weekend.
A see-saw clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium had table-toppers Sundowns taking an early lead against Polokwane City but eventually losing 3-2 to a side inspired by the league’s top scorer, Rodney Ramagalela, who scored a late winner to ensure the modest side completed a double over the former African champions.
It was his ninth strike of the season.
After the loss in Limpopo on Saturday, Downs saw their lead cut to a single point as Cape Town City secured a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Australian Roland Putsche snatched a later winner.
Sundowns, who have amassed 28 points from 15 games, are away to troubled Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
Ajax are second-bottom on the 16-team table after another disastrous outing saw them lose 1-2 to visitors Maritzburg United on Friday.
Champions Wits, stuck at the bottom of the table months after winning the title, are in more trouble after a dispiriting 0-1 loss to high-flying bogey side, Free State Stars, also on Saturday.
Wits are back in action again at the Bidvest Stadium against Supersport United on Wednesday.
Free State Stars are meanwhile a credible third three points behind Sundowns although alongside Cape Town City have played a game more.
Other big winners at the weekend were Orlando Pirates for whom Luvuyo Memela starred with a double in a 3-1 win over Baroka FC at the Orlando
Stadium on Saturday.
Chippa United secured a 2-0 victory away to struggling Amazulu courtesy of second half goals by new signing Onassis Mntambo at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Bloemfontein Celtic completed a successful weekend for the Free State Stars after defeating the declining Golden Arrows 2-1.
What had been touted as the match of the weekend degenerated into a flop as Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport finished goalless at the Mbombela Stadium.
– CAJ News