Have Orlando Pirates blown their title chances?

Orlando Pirates came from behind twice to rescue a point as their Betway Premiership encounter with Richards Bay finished in a 2-2 stalemate at uMhlathuze Stadium on Friday night. sweetbonan.org

It was far from an ideal result for the Buccaneers, who missed an opportunity to climb to the top of the league table with a three-pointer.

Half a dozen fixtures remaining

They remained in second place, one point behind the log leaders, with only half a dozen games remaining in the campaign.

Having steamrolled their last two opponents in the Betway Premiership, the Soweto giants set their sights on the Natal Rich Boyz who had their own tails up after a hard-fought home victory in midweek.

In front of a sell-out crowd in uMhlathuze, it was the visitors who looked to land the first blow when Kamogelo Sebelebele forced goalkeeper Ian Otieno into action three minutes from the first whistle.

Richards Bay did not sit back as they opted to also surge forward in search of an early breakthrough which they found in spectacular fashion with only 10 minutes played, drawing first blood through Thulani Gumede who pounced on a loose ball following a poor clearance from the Bucs defence.

Orlando Pirates’ response was initially disjointed without many clear chances at goal, save for an 18th minute attempt from Thalente Mbatha whose long-range stinger was kept out by Otieno.

Fired wide

They found some rhythm late in the first period with Yanela Mbuthuma getting a header on target but finding no way past the Natal Rich Boyz shot-stopper, just before firing wide from outside the box.

Some excellent work on the left from Relebohile Mofokeng nearly resulted in an opening as he looked to square one towards Oswin Appollis, who failed to get the necessary connection to direct the ball on target.

It summed up a scrappy first half performance from the visitors, and that frustration seemed to follow them into the first period as Masindi Nemtajela struck a shot from range straight at Otieno.

The breakthrough was not too far off however, and it arrived seven minutes after the restart when a Mofokeng cross from the left evaded all inside the box except an unmarked Appollis who had no issues firing home from close range.

Having restored parity, the two sides traded shots at goal with each landing off target as Richards Bay striker Lundi Mahala got on the end of a threatening counter before firing wide in the 54th minute.

Deon Hotto produced a similar result three minutes later when he went direct from a Bucs set piece.

Decisive effort

The home side would find the target with their next shot when they surged forward once more just before the hour mark.

The decisive effort came off the boot of midfielder Lindokuhle Zikhali, who was located by Sanele Barns before striking to put his side back in front.

After taking the lead, the Natal Rich Boyz were content with closing up shop while the Buccaneers rang the changes, bringing on Evidence Makgopa, Andre de Jong, and Patrick Maswanganyi at different stages of the final half hour.

The trio was heavily involved in the search for the equaliser, but the opposition defence would not budge for much of the contest’s latter stages.

In the thick of things

Makgopa had a late charge inside the penalty area, producing a powerful right-footed shot which brushed the crossbar on its way out for a goal kick.

He was again in the thick of things in the 90th minute when caught the rebound off a fumble from Otieno and found the net, but the goal was disallowed as the referee deemed De Jong’s challenge on the shot-stopper illegal.

The Buccaneers did not relent, and were rewarded halfway through injury time when defender Lebone Seema pulled off a stunner from outside the box to make it 2-2.

The seconds ticked away as Orlando Pirates pushed for a late winner but the ticking clock proved to be a challenge as there would be no further drama, with Richards Bay clinging on to force a share of the spoils.

Latest Betway Premiership standings

Orlando Pirates’ remaining matches

Saturday, 18 April vs AmaZulu FC, Orlando Stadium – 15:00

Sunday, 26 April vs Kaizer Chiefs, FNB Stadium – 15:00

Tuesday, 5 May vs Stellenbosch FC, Athlone Stadium – 19:30

Saturday, 9 May vs Magesi FC, Seshego Stadium – 20:00

Saturday, 16 May vs Durban City, Orlando Stadium – 15:00

Saturday, 23 May vs Orbit College, Royal Bafokeng Stadium – 15:00

En pleine zone de turbulences, Liverpool FC aborde un tournant crucial de sa saison. Actuellement 5e du championnat, les Reds restent sur une série inquiétante de trois défaites consécutives toutes compétitions confondues et voient leurs ambitions européennes sérieusement menacées. Une saison en dents de scie La saison 2025/26 de Liverpool est loin d’être un long fleuve tranquille. Pourtant, tout avait parfaitement commencé pour les hommes d’Arne Slot avec un début tonitruant : 7 matchs, 7 victoires. Une entame idéale qui laissait présager une saison pleine de promesses. Mais la première alerte n’a pas tardé. Entre le 27 septembre et le 10 octobre 2025, Liverpool a enchaîné quatre défaites consécutives : 2-1 contre Crystal Palace (Premier League, J6), 1-0 face à Galatasaray (Ligue des champions, J2), 2-1 contre Chelsea FC (Premier League, J7) et 2-1 face à Manchester United (Premier League, J8). Les Reds avaient ensuite relevé la tête avec une large victoire 5-1 contre Frankfurt en Ligue des champions, mais sans réussir à enchaîner. Deux nouvelles défaites ont suivi : 3-2 contre Brentford en championnat et un lourd 3-0 face à Crystal Palace en EFL Cup. Des rechutes à répétition Le troisième passage à vide est intervenu entre le 9 et le 26 novembre 2025, avec trois nouvelles défaites consécutives : 3-0 contre Manchester City, 3-0 face à Nottingham Forest et 4-1 contre le PSV Eindhoven en Ligue des champions. Une irrégularité chronique qui empêche Liverpool de s’installer durablement dans le haut du classement. Aujourd’hui, les Reds traversent une nouvelle zone de turbulences avec trois revers consécutifs : défaite 2-1 contre Brighton, lourde défaite 4-0 en quart de final de FA Cup contre Liverpool, revers 2-0 face au PSG au Parc des Princes en quart de finale aller de Ligue des champions. Cette dynamique négative fragilise sérieusement Liverpool, qui semble revivre les mêmes difficultés tout au long de la saison. Ils sont éliminés de l’EFL CUP et du FA CUP. Ce serait un miracle s’ils renversent le PSG au match retour et en championnat rien ne va. Une saison presque cauchemardesque. Un match déjà décisif à Anfield Dans ce contexte, la réception de Fulham à Anfield (coup d’envoi à 16h30 GMT) apparaît comme un match charnière. Plus qu’une simple rencontre de championnat, c’est une véritable obligation de résultat. Une victoire permettrait non seulement de stopper l’hémorragie, mais aussi de relancer la course à l’Europe. En revanche, un nouveau faux pas pourrait plonger définitivement Liverpool dans une crise profonde. Liverpool joue gros. Entre pression du classement, irrégularité chronique et attentes élevées des supporters, les hommes d’Arne Slot n’ont plus le droit à l’erreur. Ce duel face à Fulham pourrait bien marquer un tournant : celui d’un renouveau ou d’une saison qui bascule définitivement dans le doute.

L’article Premier League : Liverpool sous pression, l’obligation de réagir face à Fulham est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

Gerda Steyn made history on Saturday, claiming her seventh consecutive Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon title with a commanding performance around the iconic 56-kilometre course that took her through Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, over Chapman’s Peak and Constantia Nek to finish at the University of Cape Town upper campus rugby fields on Saturday, 11 April, 2026.

The Hollywood Athletics Club champion crossed the finish line in a time of three hours, twenty-seven minutes and forty-three seconds, eclipsing all competition on the most beautiful marathon course in the world.

Gerda Steyn Streaks to Sixth Consecutive Two Oceans Marathon Title

The defending champion’s winning time put her just one minute and eleven seconds away from her own course record of three hours, twenty-six minutes and fifty-four seconds, set in 2024.

From the opening kilometres, Steyn demonstrated the form and focus that has defined her unprecedented dominance in the ultramarathon. Running with her trademark style and mental strength, she controlled the race throughout the fifty-six-kilometre journey around the Cape Peninsula, establishing herself as the sole female champion in the elite field.

𝕋𝕨𝕠 𝕆𝕔𝕖𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕟

"𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚…"

The 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Women's winner Gerda Steyn!

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https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#TwoOceansMarathon #SABCSportAthletics pic.twitter.com/4K8o0m4UXl

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) April 11, 2026

Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba produced an impressive debut performance to secure second place in three hours, thirty-three minutes and thirty-one seconds, with Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma claiming the final podium position in three hours, thirty-eight minutes and thirty-four seconds.

The top-ten finishers represented seven nations, highlighting the international calibre of elite women’s ultramarathon racing and the Two Oceans Marathon’s status as a world-class event.

Steyn’s seventh consecutive victory represents an unprecedented achievement in Two Oceans Marathon history and cements her legacy as the greatest female ultramarathoner of her generation, and this victory underscores the commitment and support she has received from her club, coaches and the entire country behind her.

The 2026 winner received the enhanced women’s prize purse of R380,000, reflecting the growing investment in women’s sport across South Africa and the recognition of elite athletic achievement.

Leading Elite Results from the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (56km)

1. Gerda Steyn (South Africa) 03:27:43
2. Margaret Jepchumba (Kenya) 03:33:31
3. Nobukhosi Tshuma (Zimbabwe) 03:38:34
4. Shelmith Muriuki (Kenya) 03:39:14
5. Rholex Jelimo Kogo (Kenya) 03:40:39
6. Mildred Chepkemei Kinyanja (Kenya) 03:42:42
7. Bize Beyira Negasa (Kenya) 03:42:42
8. Bize Beyira Negasa (Ethiopia) 03:43:00
9. Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 03:43:43
10. Courtney Olsen (United States) 03:44:40

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Main Photo Caption: Gerda Steyn celebrates her historic seventh consecutive Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon victory after completing the gruelling 56-kilometre course around the Cape Peninsula, finishing at the University of Cape Town on Saturday, 11 April, 2026. Photo: Totalsports

The post Gerda Steyn Dominates 56-Kilometre Two Oceans Ultra to Claim Record-Breaking Seventh Title appeared first on gsport4girls.