Race for place in top league still open

Baroka hope to boost their run against Leopards

After three matches in the promotion play-offs, it is still difficult to guess which team will follow National First Division (NFD) champions Thanda Royal Zulu to the Absa Premiership in the upcoming season.

Stellenbosch are the only side who have played two matches. Baroka and Black Leopards have played one match apiece.

Heading into today’s encounter between Baroka and Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium (3pm), Bakgaga know that winning this fixture at home would boost their chances of remaining in the Absa Premiership next season.

Baroka played to a 2-2 draw with “Stellies” in their first game of the roundrobin tournament last week, while Leopards also settled for a point against the Capetonians at home on Saturday.

After their 0-0 stalemate against Stellenbosch, Leopards coach Jean Francois Luscuito is hopeful his side will win the Limpopo derby and increase their chances of gaining promotion.

“We are going all out in Polokwane on Wednesday [today]. A win will be very vital for the team.

“We want promotion at all costs. We are ready. We have no injuries and suspensions,’’ said Luscuito after the game at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Both Leopards and Stellenbosch hope that history helps them. Play-offs history does not favour Baroka.

Only three PSL clubs – AmaZulu (2006/07), Polokwane City (2013/14) and Mpumalanga Black Aces (2009/10) – have managed to retain their top-flight statuses through the play-offs since 2005.

Moroka Swallows, Santos and University of Pretoria are some of the Absa Premiership teams who failed to retain their PSL statuses after the roundrobin competition.