Mamelodi Sundowns claimed this season’s Absa Premiership title in dramatic fashion on the final day after defeating Black Leopards 3-0 while Kaizer Chiefs could only draw 1-1 against Baroka.
Both sides had gone into the season’s final game locked on 56 points but Chiefs boasted a superior goal difference of +21 compared to Sundowns’ +18.
Lebohang Maboe was the hero as he netted a hat-trick to seal a famous victory which saw Sundowns defend the title they had won for the last two seasons.
Chiefs, who were gunning for a fifth title, meanwhile, had scored through Khama Billiat but were pegged back by Manuel Kambala’s strike.
As a result, Sundowns topped the table with 59 points, two ahead of Chiefs. It was also a record-extending 10th league title. It was also coach Pitso Mosimane’s fifth Premier Soccer League title with Sundowns.
Orlando Pirates also secured third place following a 1-0 win against Stellenbosch, who had been unbeaten since the resumption of the season.
Pirates finished level on points (52) with Bidvest Wits, who beat relegated Polokwane City 3-1, but finished above them on account of more goals scored as both had a goal difference of +11.
SuperSport United, who began the final matchday in third, suffered a 1-0 loss to Cape Town City and finished the season in fifth while their opponents ended up one position below them.
Baroka’s draw coupled with Black Leopards’ heavy defeat meant that the latter dropped into 15th place and will contest the relegation/promotion playoff against two sides from the GladAfrica Championship.
Both sides finished with 29 points but Leopards had an inferior goal difference of -17 compared to Baroka’s -9.
In other games, Amazulu and Highlands Park drew 1-1, Chippa United edged Golden Arrows 1-0 and Bloemfontein Celtic defeated Maritzburg United 3-1.
