Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed the Betway Premiership top spot with a narrow win over AmaZulu FC, intensifying the title race pressure on Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BACKPAGEPIX
As Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the summit of the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, it begged the question: will Orlando Pirates walk away disappointed once more?
Sundowns edged AmaZulu FC 1-0 away from home at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, and the three points sent them to the top of the log on 38 points after 17 games.
It’s the same tally as Pirates, but though the champions are tied on goal difference, they are ahead of goals scored by one.
The margin couldn’t be tighter right now.
But is it a sign of things to come?
Pirates lost to Sundowns a week ago, which was effectively a six-point swing in the title race.
Before that, it seemed like this season was actually going to be different.
Sundowns, of course, have won the last eight league titles in a row, and even though they had slipped behind Pirates after 15 games, they were still favourites at the halfway stage of the season. And now we’re seeing why.
Pirates have finished second behind Sundowns the last three seasons in a row.
Even Kaizer Chiefs appeared to be league contenders earlier this year. At the end of January, with their 1-0 win away at Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein over Marumo Gallants, AmaKhosi moved into second place on the log with 30 points after 15 games.
At the time, only Sundowns were ahead of Chiefs with 32 points. However, since then, Chiefs have played just once more, and that was a 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.
All is not lost for Pirates and maybe even Chiefs, but the signs are all there that this is the beginning of the end for any side other than Sundowns as the business end of the league appears on the horizon.
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