Johannesburg – The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season kicked off over the weekend with mixed results for the league’s top teams. All matches except the Limpopo derby ended without goals, but that game between Polokwane City and Magesi FC finished goalless at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs got off to a strong start, defeating a ten-man Stellenbosch FC 2-0 at a packed Athlone Stadium on Sunday. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s free kick and a late penalty by Glody Lilepo secured the win after Stellenbosch played most of the match with ten players following Siviwe Nkwali’s red card for a foul on Mduduzi Shabalala. Chiefs dominated the second half to earn the victory.
Orlando Pirates faced disappointment at home, losing 1-0 to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Siphesihle Mkhize scored just after halftime for Sekhukhune. Pirates hit the post twice—Daniel Cardoso in the 11th minute clearing a cross, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi with a header—but were unable to find an equaliser.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns started their title defence with a 1-1 draw against Chippa United in Gqeberha. Arthur Sales put Sundowns ahead in the first half, but Khaya Mfecane’s second-half equaliser earned Chippa a point at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This was the first game for Chippa’s new coach, Sinethemba Badela, who faced his former team.
The Betway Premiership continues this week with midweek fixtures scheduled across the country, including matches featuring Sundowns, AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs. All games kick off at 7:30 pm.
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