Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the summit of the Betway Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AmaZulu FC, while Kaizer Chiefs saw their title ambitions dented by a 2-1 home defeat to Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday night.
The contrasting results have tightened the race at the top and increased the pressure ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby between Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates.
Mamelodi Sundowns Edge Ahead on Goals Scored
Mamelodi Sundowns moved level on 38 points with Orlando Pirates after 17 matches, both boasting a +19 goal difference.
However, Masandawana’s 27 goals scored – one more than the Buccaneers’ 26 – sees them climb to the top of the standings.
It is a razor-thin margin in the title race, with just a single goal separating the two sides after 17 games.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs remained fourth on 30 points with only one game in hand.
Anything less than victory against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, 28 February (15:30) could shift their focus from a title push to securing CAF interclub qualification.
AmaZulu sit fifth on 30 points but have played two games more than Kaizer Chiefs.
Elsewhere, Stellenbosch’s win lifts them to 11th on 19 points, five clear of the relegation playoff spot and seven above the automatic drop zone.
Kaizer Chiefs Take the Lead but Falter
Kaizer Chiefs created several first-half chances and eventually broke the deadlock through Flavio Silva, who turned in a low cross from Glody Lilepo at the near post. It was Silva’s fifth goal in as many league starts and his seventh in all competitions.
Earlier, Ashley du Preez had the ball in the net from what appeared to be an onside position, but the effort was ruled out.
Stellenbosch, who failed to register a shot on target in the first half, equalised six minutes into the second period.
Langelihle Phili continued his impressive form with his seventh league goal of the season, finishing at the back post from Devin Titus’ cross.
With three minutes remaining, Titus stunned the home crowd with a composed side-footed finish from 15 yards.
It was his first league goal of the season, despite netting eight times in the previous campaign, and capped another decisive display after recently eliminating Kaizer Chiefs from the Nedbank Cup.
Allende’s Moment Seals It for Sundowns
In Durban, Mamelodi Sundowns dominated proceedings but had to wait until the 84th minute for the breakthrough.
After AmaZulu failed to clear their lines, Marcelo Allende struck a half-volley from the edge of the area to secure the win.
It was Allende’s first league goal since September 2025 and proved decisive on a night where Mamelodi Sundowns registered 29 shots to AmaZulu’s six.
With the title race finely balanced, attention now turns to the weekend’s Soweto derby at FNB Stadium, where the stakes for Chiefs in particular, could hardly be higher.
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