A dramatic week saw Mamelodi Sundowns strengthen their position at the summit, while AmaZulu climbed, Milford made a statement and Kruger United celebrated a historic first victory
Seen Here: The Betway Premiership delivered another week of drama, statements and breakthrough moments. Mamelodi Sundowns stayed on top, AmaZulu continued their rise, Milford FC announced themselves with a stunning 5–1 win, while Kruger United celebrated a historic first victory in the top flight. With the title race taking shape and the battle intensifying at both ends of the table, the 2026/27 season is already heating up. Photo Credit: Sourced
JOHANNESBURG — The Betway Premiership delivered another action-packed week as the 2026/27 campaign gathered momentum, with eight matches played between 8 and 13 September 2026 producing important points, late drama and significant movement across the table.
While Mamelodi Sundowns remained the team to beat, the defending champions were unable to maintain a perfect record after being held by Chippa United.
Elsewhere, AmaZulu FC continued their impressive rise, Milford FC announced themselves with a statement victory, and Kruger United finally broke their duck with their first-ever Betway Premiership win.
Sundowns set the pace before being held by Chippa
Sundowns began the week in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Siwelele FC 3-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, 9 September.
The Brazilians dominated for long periods but had to wait until the second half to make their superiority count. Kutlwano Letlhaku opened the scoring in the 58th minute after Teboho Mokoena’s effort was tipped onto the crossbar.
Substitute Siyanda Ndlovu doubled the advantage in the 79th minute before Tashreeq Matthews completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The victory moved Sundowns six points clear of Orlando Pirates at the time and extended their winning run across all competitions to five matches.
However, their seemingly unstoppable momentum was checked three days later.
Travelling to East London to face Chippa United, Sundowns were forced to fight back for a point in a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Chippa substitute Sirgio Kammies put the hosts ahead in the 78th minute, seemingly setting up a famous victory, but Antonio Van Wyk struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for the champions.
The result preserved Sundowns’ unbeaten start but gave their chasing rivals renewed hope of closing the gap.
AmaZulu keep climbing
One of the week’s biggest winners was AmaZulu FC, who continued their excellent early-season form with a narrow 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya supplied the decisive moment in the 36th minute, heading home from Nkosikhona Radebe’s cross.
The result gave AmaZulu their second consecutive league victory and moved them into third place, while Gallants remained without a win after seven matches.
Usuthu’s rise is becoming one of the early stories of the campaign, with the Durban club establishing themselves among the leading contenders rather than merely occupying the chasing pack.
Chiefs frustrated in Polokwane
Kaizer Chiefs missed an opportunity to move higher up the standings after being held to a 1-1 draw by Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Amakhosi appeared on course for another victory when Lebohang Maboe put them ahead in the first half.
Polokwane, however, capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to level the contest and secure a valuable point.
The result dropped Chiefs to fourth, with AmaZulu moving above them following their victory over Gallants.
For Polokwane, the point represented another important step in establishing themselves as a competitive side capable of troubling the league’s bigger names.
Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune share the spoils
Friday night’s encounter between Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United also ended in a 1-1 draw at Athlone Stadium.
Sekhukhune took the lead through Bethuel Muzeu in the 62nd minute, but veteran striker Bradley Grobler rescued a point for Stellenbosch with an 86th-minute equaliser.
The goal was particularly significant for Grobler, taking his tally to 124 PSL goals.
The draw also continued a remarkable pattern between the two sides, who have now shared the spoils in eight of their last 12 meetings.
Milford make a statement
If any result announced a new force emerging in the Premiership, it was Milford FC’s 5-1 demolition of Richards Bay on Sunday.
The top-flight newcomers produced their most emphatic performance of the campaign at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, capitalising on an early numerical advantage after Lindokuhle Zikhali was sent off while conceding a penalty.
Siphosethu Ndlabi converted from the spot before Mvelo Zikakayo struck twice to put Milford firmly in control.
Richards Bay pulled one back through Mehluleli Ndelu, but Milford responded with further goals from Phakamani Jwara and Jabulile Gxakoshe to complete a comprehensive victory.
The result lifted Milford to fifth place on 11 points from seven matches, underlining the impressive start made by the newly promoted side.
Kruger United finally break through
There was also history in Mpumalanga as Kruger United claimed their first-ever Betway Premiership victory, defeating TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.
After a difficult opening to life in the top flight, Kruger found their breakthrough in the 73rd minute when substitute Khethukuthula Ndlovu converted Mlungisi Zwane’s assist.
Galaxy were reduced to 10 men after Veluyeke Zulu was sent off in the second half, and Kruger eventually held on for a landmark three points.
The victory lifted Kruger out of the immediate danger zone and gave the newcomers a valuable boost as they adjust to the demands of top-flight football.
Siwelele and Arrows settle for a point
Siwelele FC and Golden Arrows completed Sunday’s programme with a 1-1 draw at the Free State Stadium.
Arrows went ahead shortly after half-time through Philani Khumalo, but Siwelele responded through Christian Saile, who levelled in the 61st minute.
The Bloemfontein side thought they had taken the lead later in the match when Thabiso Sesane headed home, but the effort was ruled out for a foul.
Neither side could find a winner, leaving them to settle for a point apiece.
The week’s results
| Date | Fixture | Result |
| 9 Sept | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Siwelele FC | 3–0 |
| 11 Sept | Stellenbosch FC vs Sekhukhune United | 1–1 |
| 12 Sept | AmaZulu FC vs Marumo Gallants | 1–0 |
| 12 Sept | Polokwane City vs Kaizer Chiefs | 1–1 |
| 12 Sept | Chippa United vs Mamelodi Sundowns | 1–1 |
| 13 Sept | Milford FC vs Richards Bay | 5–1 |
| 13 Sept | Siwelele FC vs Golden Arrows | 1–1 |
| 13 Sept | TS Galaxy vs Kruger United | 0–1 |
The official PSL results confirm the eight-match sequence across the period.
Sundowns still set the benchmark
Despite surrendering two points against Chippa, Sundowns remain the early pace-setters.
The champions’ combination of attacking quality, squad depth and consistency has put them firmly in control of the title race, although the gap at the top could quickly become less comfortable if the chasing pack continues collecting points.
Orlando Pirates remain among the leading contenders, while AmaZulu’s surge and Chiefs’ continued presence near the summit add further intrigue to an increasingly competitive race.
Behind them, the likes of Milford, Sekhukhune, Stellenbosch and Polokwane City are showing that the battle for the upper half of the table is unlikely to be straightforward.
At the other end, the pressure is already building for the teams struggling to convert performances into victories.
A league beginning to take shape
The week from 8 to 13 September offered a glimpse of the character developing across the 2026/27 Betway Premiership.
There was the established power of Sundowns, the resurgence of AmaZulu, the promise of Milford’s new generation, the breakthrough moment for Kruger United and the continuing battle for consistency among the league’s traditional contenders.
With the season still in its early stages, there is plenty of football still to be played.
But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the Betway Premiership is already producing the drama, unpredictability and emerging storylines that could define the campaign.
