Billiat shines in Sundowns win over Dikwena
MAMELODI Sundowns secured a 1-0 win over Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium near Rustenburg yesterday afternoon.
The victory takes the Brazilians to fifth spot on the league standings, while Dikwena, who are winless this season, remain 16th on the table. The Brazilians got off to a perfect start as they broke the deadlock after Hlompho Kekana and Khama Billiat combined brilliantly just two minutes into the game.
A long ball from Kekana found Billiat, who beat his marker inside the Dikwena box, before firing past goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
Billiat and Percy Tau were causing havoc in the Stars defence as they combined nicely in the opposition’s half as they looked to double Sundowns’ lead.
Tau came very close to scoring in the 17th mnute when his effort from a well-taken free-kick shaved the upright with Mzimela beaten.
As the match progressed, Dikwena were able to contain the Brazilians, who were dominating the midfield battle.
Billiat had a chance to grab his brace in the 41st minute after he was released in behind the Stars defence, but this time Mzimela produced a fine save to deny the attacker from close range.
The former Ajax Cape Town winger was unstoppable as he then beat two Stars defenders two minutes later, before forcing Mzimela into a diving save.
Meanwhile, a goal by Roggert Nyundu for Bloemfontein Celtic ensured they beat Bidvest Wits 1-0 in the Absa Premiership yesterday afternoon at the Dr Molemela Stadium.
The second 2017-18 victory for the hosts means they now occupy the seventh spot on the log standings with nine points from seven matches.
The third loss for the Clever Boys sees them languishing at number 15. – supersport.com
BAROKA beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in Durban at the weekend to remain the log leaders of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) – just three months after narrowly escaping relegation.
The Polokwane club finished second from the bottom of the PSL log last season and had to win a minileague involving two second-tier clubs to survive the relegation chop.
But Baroka FC have been a transformed team since, while fielding many of the players who struggled to make an impact in their debut in the premiership league last season.
Chiefs moved the home fixture from Soweto to Durban to attract a bigger crowd and were rewarded with a good turnout at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Chiefs took just eight minutes to move ahead, when an unmarked George Maluleka shot a lateral pass into the net.
But a former Amakhosi warrior fired Baroka level when Zambian Lewis Macha scored with a glancing header midway through the opening half.
The match-winner came just before the hour when Gift Motupa found space in a packed goalmouth and slammed the ball past keeper Itumeleng Khune.
Baroka withstood late pressure to claim their fourth premiership win of the season. They have three draws. Baroka have 15 points, Golden Arrows 13, Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates 12 and Chiefs nine, after seven rounds.
Among the PSL pacesetters, only Pirates and Chiefs have won the title.
For Pirates, Thamsanqa Gabuza spared the team a second loss in a row, by heading a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Polokwane City.
Gabuza gave the Buccaneers an early second-half lead, but it was overturned by two breakaway goals from Rendani Ndou and Rodney Ramagalela.
But as Polokwane City prepared to celebrate, goalkeeper Harold Ndlovu was again punished by Gabuza through a long-lofted shot into the net.
For Cape Town City, Nigerian Victor Obinna scored his first goal, as the team beat Ajax Cape Town 2-0 in a derby in the city.
Judas Moseamedi wrapped up the match to nab the maximum points two minutes from time for City, whose coach – Benni McCarthy – was in Porto’s 2004 team when the Portugal club won the Uefa Champions League.