Relegation dogfight gives spice to league

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

With Platinum Stars already relegated, the focus heading into the last day of the Absa Premiership season on May 12 will be largely focused on which team will head into the-play-offs to try and retain their top-flight status.

Four teams are still in with a chance of ending up in the dreaded 15th position. Ajax Cape Town are the current incumbents on 31 points, with SuperSport United and Polokwane City two points ahead of them, and Baroka FC are also far from secure in 12th place on 34 points after conceding a last-minute equaliser against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday.

Muhsin Ertugral’s Urban Warriors will clash with Kaizer Chiefs in their quest for survival at the Cape Town Stadium.

However, it will certainly not be an easy task for the Mother city outfit to try and get maximum points against Amakhosi, with the Glamour Boys looking to secure a third-place finish that will see them qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup.

Ajax head into this game having suffered a 3-1 defeat in the hands of eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday. But Urban Warriors coach Muhsin Ertugral believes his side can escape the chop by getting three points as the other relegation candidates, SuperSport and Baroka, are playing each other on the last day. A draw for Ajax won’t do them any favours,

“I think if we can get maximum points we will definitely be safe because SuperSport and Baroka are playing each other and both teams will be playing for maximum points,” said Ertugral.

Baroka and SuperSport go into battle having dropped points, with the Limpopo side drawing 2-2 with Bloemfontein Celtic, while SuperSport were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United.

Polokwane City, meanwhile, will play host to Chippa in their last-ditch bid for survival. Last-day fixtures for the relegation-threatened teams

Polokwane City v Chippa United, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

SuperSport United v Baroka FC, Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Ajax Cape Town v Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town Stadium.