Cape Town's winless league run stretches to 11 matches
A winless South African Premiership run by lowly Cape Town City stretched to 11 matches on Sunday when they lost 2-1 at home against third-placed Sekhukhune United.
The visiting team built a two-goal lead through Samkele Sihlali and Nigerian Chibuike Ohizu in the first half, before having Khulekani Shezi sent off just after half-time.
Kayden Francis halved the deficit midway through the second half, but Cape Town pressure failed to produce an equaliser, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.
On Saturday, Orlando Pirates closed the gap behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to 12 points after a soft Nkosinathi Sibisi goal delivered a 1-0 win at Polokwane City.
The Buccaneers have three matches in hand over the defending champions, who may lose three points if bottom club Royal AM are kicked out of the league, and their results nullified.
Centre-back Sibisi struck after 67 minutes, poking the ball between the legs of Brian Bwire after the Kenyan goalkeeper dropped a Kabelo Dlamini free-kick.
It was a rare scoring chance in a dour match, and Pirates' Spanish coach Jose Riveiro said the pitch in northern city Polokwane was partly to blame.
"A slow and bumpy pitch did not help either team," said the 49-year-old, who announced this week that he will leave Pirates when the season ends after deciding not to seek a new contract.
The South African season ends in May, but Riveiro will be remain in charge until June if Pirates reach the CAF Champions League final.
They host Mouloudia Alger of Algeria on Wednesday in the second leg of a Champions League quarter-final, having built a 1-0 lead five days ago.
"This is a massive three points. Our patience paid off against very disciplined opponents who raised their game against us," added Riveiro of the win this weekend.
If Royal are expelled for contravening several Premiership regulations, and the results of their 11 matches scrapped, Sundowns will have six matches left and Pirates nine.
Should the clubs finish level on points, first place would be decided by goal difference and Sundowns (plus 37) currently hold a big advantage over Pirates (plus 18).
Kaizer Chiefs, the most popular club in South Africa with a recent derby against Pirates drawing 110,000 spectators, remained eighth after a 1-1 home draw with TS Galaxy.
Wandile Duba scored his fifth goal of the campaign to put Chiefs ahead in the first half, but Galaxy levelled 10 minutes from time when former player Given Msimango conceded an own goal.
"I'm tired of repeating myself about missed chances," said Chiefs' Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, as the famed club face a 10th straight season without a trophy.
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