Stellenbosch FC have been crowned 2023/24 DStv Diski Challenge champions after defeating Golden Arrows in a seven-goal thriller on Saturday afternoon.
The Western Cape outfit got off to a slow start and fell behind on 29 minutes when Samukelo Mlaba found the back of the net.
It got worse for Stellenbosch three minutes later after Arrows captain Sandile Ndlovu fired past Dejan Ah Shene.
The home side managed to given themselves some hope five minutes after the halftime break, with Ethan Felix pulling one back with a close-range finish.
Stellenbosch got themselves back on level terms after the hour mark thanks to Mervin Boji's 12th goal of the season, but Arrows restored their lead via an own goal from Simthandile Sishi.
However, Stellies took over in the final ten minutes as Boji netted twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick and guide Stellenbosch to the Diski Challenge title.
Mamelodi Sundowns 6-0 Moroka Swallows
Mamelodi Sundowns put on a scoring frenzy in the second half to breeze past Moroka Swallows 6-0, but still missed out on the title and finished runners-up.
Masandawana initially struggled to get going but didn’t take long to hit the ground running in the second stanza and took the lead courtesy of Siyabonga Mabena.
It set the tone and the opening of the floodgates followed with a double each from Kutlwano Letlhaku and Keabetswe Ramotsei before Jerome Karelse compounded the visitors’ woes.
Cape Town City 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs inconsistent run of performances continued and slumped to a 1-0 loss against Cape Town City to finish fifth on the table.
The Amakhosi were able to hold the Citizens for the duration of the match and headed to a goalless draw as the deadlock seemed elusive.
However, a lapse of concentration saw the host pounce and claimed the winner to finish the campaign on a high note.
Polokwane City 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates’ three-match winning run came to an end following a 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed Polokwane City in the Limpopo province.
Rise and Shine were on the front-foot in the first half before the Buccaneers clawed their way back in the resumption through Tebogo Masemola.
The final say belonged to Rise and Shine though, who bagged the winner right at the death to leave the Soweto giants pointless.
Sekhukhune United 3-3 Royal AM
Sekhukhune United missed the opportunity to end the campaign on a high note and surrendered a two-goal deficit for a 3-3 draw with Royal AM.
Quick fire efforts in the opening quarter of the half by Gift Ngobeni and Sanele Phiri provided the perfect platform to victory for the host.
However, Thwihli Thwahla raced back afterwards and struck in the space of minutes to draw level despite the best effort of Phiri to lead them to victory as it finished all square.
Chippa United 1-2 TS Galaxy
TS Galaxy bounced back from a two-match winless streak and overcame Chippa United 2-1 in a bottom-half tussle.
The Chilli Boys entered proceedings on a successive winning run, but came unstuck against the Rockets and finished 13th on the table with the host one spot above them.
Richards Bay FC 3-1 Cape Town Spurs
Richards Bay FC snapped a five-match run of defeats to see off Cape Town Spurs 3-1 in a keen bottom-half tussle in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Defensively, it’s not been the best of times for the host -shipping in six goals in the last two matches before first half strikes from Thabisa Ndelu and Siphesihle Buthelezi.
With Spurs replying, the Natal Rich Boys emerged victorious and drilled in the final in the visitors coffin through Wandile Ngema.
AmaZulu 1-5 SuperSport United
Title holders SuperSport United finished their campaign in style and hammered the struggling AmaZulu 5-1 in Durban.
Both teams struggled to get going earlier on, but Matsatsantsa soon took control through Tshegofatso Modise before Owen Ramunasi added another.
The floodgates remained open, as Kabelo Selowa, Sifiso Mazibuko and Bohlale Ngwato joined in the act and ended matters as a contest down under.
