Championship strike. Leon stuns Pirates and ignites the title race.The symbolic team of Matchday 17 in the Betway Premiership according to Dailysports
The 17th matchday of the 2025/26 South African Betway Premiership has wrapped up. Five fixtures were played on January 30-31 and February 1, while two more took place on February 18.
Two matches ended in identical 2-2 draws, with Polokwane vs Orbit College and Richards Bay vs Golden Arrows both failing to produce a winner. AmaZulu claimed a valuable away victory over Marumo, while Sekhukhune edged TS Galaxy. Meanwhile, Chippa United made it two wins in a row by defeating Durban City.
On February 18, Stellenbosch and Magesi shared the spoils, while Mamelodi Sundowns scored a crucial victory over Orlando Pirates, closing the gap on Ouaddou's men in the league standings.
The clash between Siwelele and Kaizer Chiefs has been postponed to a later date.
All matchday 17 results:
- Richards Bay — Golden Arrows — 2:2
- Chippa United — Durban City — 2:0
- Marumo Gallants — AmaZulu — 0:1
- Polokwane — Orbit College — 2:2
- TS Galaxy — Sekhukhune — 0:1
- Stellenbosch — Magesi — 1:1
- Orlando Pirates — Mamelodi Sundowns — 1:2
- Siwelele — Kaizer Chiefs — postponed
Dailysports presents the symbolic team of matchday 17 in the South African Betway Premiership.
Goalkeeper: Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune)
The Sekhukhune shot-stopper makes our team of the week for the second consecutive round. Against TS Galaxy, Leaner once again put on a masterclass between the posts, making five crucial saves and showing commanding presence on crosses, ensuring Sekhukhune kept a clean sheet and took all three points from Mbombela. Unsurprisingly, he was named man of the match.
Left back: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The Bafana Bafana international delivered a stellar display against the Pirates. Modiba tirelessly patrolled the left flank, was solid defensively, provided three dangerous passes, and registered an assist for the third straight match.
Centre back: Katlego Mkhabela (Orbit College)
Mkhabela is in his debut season for Orbit College after joining from Sekhukhune and, while he hasn’t always been consistent, he was outstanding against Polokwane. The defender was everywhere, excelling in his primary duties: nine clearances, two blocked shots, and winning 11 out of 12 duels – a testament to his dominant performance.
Centre back: Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ndamane returned from the Africa Cup of Nations already as a Mamelodi Sundowns player. He was a standout for TS Galaxy in the first half of the season, and now has cemented himself as a regular for the 'Brazilians'. Against Pirates, he confidently carried the ball out from the back, dominated aerial battles, and nearly scored himself, rattling the upright.
Right back: Mosa Lebusa (Stellenbosch)
The experienced defender recently joined Stellenbosch as a free agent and immediately established himself as a starter. Against Magesi, Lebusa made a huge defensive contribution with two interceptions, 16 clearances, won two fouls, and dominated in the air with 10 out of 13 aerial duels won.
Central midfielder: Siyanda Ndlovu (Golden Arrows)
The 22-year-old returned to the Golden Arrows lineup against Kaizer Chiefs, and in his very next game, he scored his first goal of the season. Ndlovu showed confidence in dribbling and shooting, helping his side avoid defeat for the first time in five league matches. He set up Nguse for the opener, then found the net himself in the second half.
Central midfielder: Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu)
Hanamub produced a superb performance against Marumo Gallants, displaying the qualities that make him so highly valued at AmaZulu. The Namibia international was one of the most influential players on the pitch, tirelessly covering the left flank, completing every pass, and delivering a decisive assist for the only goal of the match.
Central midfielder: Atisang Batsi (Orbit College)
The 43-year-old Orbit College captain continues to defy expectations with his work rate. Batsi put in a mammoth shift against Polokwane: five clearances, four blocked shots, and countless duels won. His crowning moment came just minutes before the final whistle, scoring the equalizer that rescued a point for his side.
Left winger: Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United)
Kwayiba moved to Orlando Pirates last summer but failed to break into the lineup and returned to Chippa United just six months later, aiming to help them avoid relegation. Sinoxolo immediately justified the faith in him, bagging a brace against Durban City to secure three vital points. He capitalized on errors from the goalkeeper and defender, showing real composure in front of goal.
Right winger: Thabelo Tshikweta (Polokwane)
Tshikweta had a brilliant outing against Orbit College. His first-half brace, while not enough to secure victory and denied a hat-trick by the woodwork, was nonetheless vital for both player and club. In his last three matches for Polokwane, he has netted three times and is thriving in his new role.
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Centre forward: Brayan León (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mamelodi’s gamble to spend nearly three million euros on the Colombian striker is already paying dividends. León has scored six goals in seven games for his new club, and his brace against Orlando Pirates earned him the man of the match award. Notably, just days earlier, he netted twice against MC Alger to send Mamelodi into the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Head coach: Vusumuzi Vilakazi (Chippa United)
Vilakazi, who replaced Badela as head coach of Chippa United, repeatedly promised to keep the club in the Betway Premiership. He’s started to back up those words with results: Chippa are now unbeaten and have kept four consecutive clean sheets. Since the Africa Cup of Nations, Chippa have won both their matches and have finally climbed off the bottom of the table, keeping their survival hopes alive.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
