Sundowns stay top as Richards Bay, Kaizer Chiefs drop points
Mamelodi Sundowns remained top of the South African Premiership on Saturday despite not playing as Richards Bay and Kaizer Chiefs squandered chances to overtake them.
Promoted Richards Bay would have gone top had they won at home against bottom club Maritzburg United, but could only draw 0-0 and remained second.
This opened the door for Chiefs to climb from fourth to first by defeating mid-table Chippa United, but they conceded a late own goal to lose 2-1 in a home match staged far from their Johannesburg base.
Sundowns, who trounced La Passe from the Seychelles 8-1 in a CAF Champions League qualifier on Friday, lead Richards Bay on goal difference with both clubs having 19 points.
Super Sport United and Chiefs have 17 points each and Orlando Pirates 16 one third of the way through a 30-round season for most sides in the richest African national championship.
Rookies Richards Bay almost lost in Durban when Ugandan goalkeeper Salim Magoola tried to dribble his way out of the box only to be surrounded by two opponents.