Brazilians remain top of the log in Premiership, Amakhosi’s fifth draw leaves them in fourth place

Mamelodi Sundowns continued their sterling domestic form in 2026-27, following up lifting the MTN8 trophy on the weekend with a 4-1 Betway Premiership thrashing of Richards Bay FC at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night.

In Johannesburg, Kaizer Chiefs were unable to get the better of tough Stellenbosch FC and had to settle for a 1-1 home draw. Their fifth stalemate from eight games left coach Fernando Da Cruz’s Amakhosi in fourth place on 14 points, nine behind leaders Sundowns.

Coach Miguel Cardoso’s Brazilians have been on something of a trophy roll. Crowned continental kings with their Caf Champions League final victory against FAR Rabat in May, Downs lifted the African-Asian-Pacific Cup beating Al-Ahli Saudi last month, then toughed out a 2-0 victory against closest domestic rivals Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 last game at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

They stayed in Durban to continue their strong start in their bid to win back the Premiership title they had clinched eight times in succession before being unseated by Pirates last season.

Unbeaten Downs (seven wins and two draws) remained top of the log with 23 points from nine games though Pirates, who beat TS Galaxy 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, are just a point behind with a game in hand.

Tashreeq Matthews, the man-of-the-match in Saturday’s final, put the Brazilians ahead in the 18th minute, stroking past goalkeeper Ian Otieno after being set up by a pass from Siyanda Ndlovu.

Lwandle Mabuya pulled one back for Bay almost immediately, in the 22nd.

Iqraam Rayners put Downs back ahead in the 37th, firing home from Matthews’ cross. It took just two minutes back from the break for the Bafana Bafana striker to make it 3-1, finishing from close range.

Left-back Fawaaz Basadien side-footed the fourth for Downs after a fine pass from Teboho Mokoena in the 60th.

At FNB Stadium, both sides had their chances, including Stellies keeper Sage Stephens having to stop from Wandile Duba on the half-hour.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba put Stellenbosch up in the third minute after the return from the break.

The goal was set up by the clever run between the lines of left-back Terrence Mashego, who then put an angled pass into the box in the direction of the right upright that Kwayiba got on the end of, connecting into the top-right corner past stranded goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner.

Chiefs only had to wait 10 minutes until Mduduzi Shabalala equalised. The Chiefs forward ran onto a long pass into the area on the left and dragged the ball back onto his right foot to throw off marker Siviwe Nkwali, then finished low past Stephens.

Amakhosi continued to push for the winner on their home ground, including substitute Asenele Velebayi forcing another save from Stephens in the 80th, but could not breach the keeper’s net again.