Sundowns, SuperSport top PSL log

Kaizer Chiefs surrendered the last perfect record in the Premier Soccer League with an unlucky 2-1 loss at Ajax Cape Town Wednesday.

Overnight leaders Mamelodi Sundowns were joined at the top of the table after four rounds by fellow Pretoria club SuperSport United, who won 3-0 at home against Black Leopards.

Both teams have 10 points from three victories and a draw in the richest African national football championship with a $1.25-million first prize.

Chiefs and title holders Orlando Pirates, who defeated Santos 1-0 in Soweto, are one point behind the pacesetters ahead of the first Soweto league derby of the season this Saturday.

Golden Arrows and Moroka Swallows won at home against Platinum Stars and Free State Stars respectively while Bloemfontein Celtic hit back to draw 1-1 with visiting Maritzburg United.

Chiefs made the two-hour flight south from Johannesburg to Cape Town seeking success after losing the Top 8 Cup final to greatest rivals Pirates last Saturday.

But they were out of luck midway through the first half as big-screen replays revealed that goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune did not foul Thembinkosi “Terror” Fanteni inside the box.

The referee thought otherwise and awarded a penalty which former South Africa striker Fanteni calmly slotted into the corner with Khune diving the wrong way.

International players help out
Slick Chiefs passed created space on the edge of the penalty area three minutes into the second half and Reneilwe Letsholonyane equalised with a well-placed shot.

Ajax rarely troubled Khune and a deflection helped them regain the lead on 76 minutes as midfielder Lebogang Nyatama scored only the second goal of his professional career.

Striker Ndumiso Mabena nodded in a corner from close range just before half-time to give Pirates victory over a Santos team rooted to the bottom following four consecutive losses.

Malawian striker Atusaye Nyondo scored late in the first half and early in the second and South Africa defender Morgan Gould added a third for SuperSport.

Veteran Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma was another import on target, netting in each half as Arrows defeated Platinum 3-1 in Durban to claim their fist win of the season.

David Mathelubla and Lefa Tsutsulupa struck in the first half as Swallows edged Free State 2-1 and Lennox Bacela levelled for Celtic after Diyo Sibisi put Maritzburg ahead.—AFP