Pirates up to second, Chippa win again

Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United stayed in the fight for a top-two finish, but SuperSport United's Caf Champions League hopes suffered a damaging blow.

Saturday's DStv Premiership action kicked off with a KZN derby as Royal AM battled back from behind to draw 1-1 with Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium.

An own-goal from Zukile Mkhize gave Abafana Bes'thende the lead on 15 minutes, but substitute Khulekani Shezi (52') hit back for Thwihli Thwahla early in the second half to rescue a share of the derby spoils.

The stalemate saw Arrows drop to ninth in the standings, two points clear of Royal AM, who overtook AmaZulu into 12th spot.

A couple of hours later, Sekhukhune United maintained their unbeaten start to the second half of the season with a 1-0 win over Cape Town Spurs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Asekho Tiwani's 52nd-minute goal settled the contest as Babina Noko halted a run of three successive draws to close within a point of Stellenbosch (3rd) in fourth place. The Urban Warriors remain rooted to the foot of the table on 12 points following a fourth straight defeat.

Orlando Pirates climbed up to second position thanks to a 1-0 victory against AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium.

Tshegofatso Mabasa scored the only goal of the game in the 75th minute as the Buccaneers went a point clear of Stellies, who are only in action on Sunday. Usuthu slipped down to 13th spot and find themselves four points outside the top eight.

Then in the late kick-off, Chippa United dashed SuperSport United's top-two challenge with a 2-0 triumph at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

Goals in each half from Sinoxolo Kwayiba (33') and Bienvenu Eva Nga (80') made it three consecutive wins for the Chilli Boys as they moved up to eighth place,