Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego scored twice against former club Moroka Swallows in a 2-1 win Sunday that left his team top of the South African Premiership.

The veteran striker struck just before half-time and on the hour mark at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria with Lerato Chabangu scoring a late consolation goal.

Victory lifted record five-time title winners Sundowns two points above defending champions Kaizer Chiefs, who triumphed 2-0 at Free State Stars Saturday.

Platinum Stars, surprise runners-up last season, are four points behind Sundowns in third place and Swallows remained fourth, a point further back.

Orlando Pirates, beaten by Al-Ahly of Egypt in the 2013 CAF Champions League final, stayed bottom of the 16-club table after a stunning 3-2 home defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic.

Controversial refereeing marred the Pretoria showdown with Sundowns lucky not to have two players sent off during a poor opening half.

Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene injured Siyabonga Nomvethe by dashing from his penalty area and charging into the 35-year-old former South Africa striker.

But although big-screen replays showed Mweene going for the man rather than the ball, the referee took no action.

Concussed Nomvethe was carried off and returned with his head heavily bandaged before being substituted midway through the second half.

Zimbabwe striker Khama Billiat did get a yellow card for fouling a rival, but it could have been red as replays showed him kicking the fallen opponent.

"The referee applied different rules to the two teams," complained Swallows coach Zeca Marques. "We deserved at least a draw."

Recalled Siyabonga Nkosi with a first-half header and fellow midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala with a stoppage-time tap-in earned Chiefs maximum points in central town Phuthaditjhaba.

Defeat left Stars just two points above the relegation zone and coach and former South Africa captain Steve Komphela quit Sunday with assistant Themba Sithole taking over.

Pirates were lucky to lose by only one goal in Soweto as Celtic wasted numerous first-half chances before achieving only a second league win in 11 outings this season.