Fight for PSL second spot goes down to the wire
● The fight for a second-place finish and to avoid relegation will go down to the final day of the DStv Premiership campaign on Saturday after yesterday’s penultimate round delivered a mixed bag of results.
The surprise result of the day was produced by bottom-placed Baroka FC who beat SuperSport United 3-1 in their last home game in Limpopo. Baroka skipper Bonginkosi Makume scored two penalties in the first half before striker Evidence Makgopa sealed Bakgaga’s sixth victory of the season with a tap-in 15 minutes from time.
Despite their win, Baroka are still at the bottom of the log with 25 points, equal with Swallows FC who played a 0-0 draw against Chippa United at the Dobsonville Stadium yesterday.
Chippa are now safe from relegation as they’ve collected 29 points, which is a tally that Swallows and Baroka won’t reach even if they win their last games on Saturday against Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United, respectively.
Maritzburg have a better chance to leave Swallows, Baroka and TS Galaxy in the relegation quagmire as they need a point from their two remaining matches, while their rivals have just one game to fight for their future.
Galaxy remain on 14th spot with 27 points after a 0-0 draw with Marumo Gallants yesterday and will have to beat Chippa away from home on Saturday to be assured of keeping their status in the elite league.
The fight for second place and qualification for the Caf Champions League will also be decided on Saturday after second-placed Cape Town City played a 0-0 draw against AmaZulu FC in Cape Town yesterday.
City, Royal AM, Chiefs and Orlando Pirates all still have a chance to finish second although City remain favourites as they’ll play their Cape Town neighbours Stellenbosch in their final game on Saturday.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s first-half goal helped Chiefs beat Sekhukhune United 1-0 at Ellis Park yesterday. Amakhosi will still need Royal and City results to go their way to have a chance to book a place in the Champions League. A third-place finish gives one of these teams a ticket to play in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.
Royal were held to a 2-2 draw in a KwaZulu-Natal derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows yesterday. John Maduka’s team will now have to beat Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday and Pirates in their last two matches to have any chance of overtaking City, who remain three points ahead of them.
Pirates were not involved in yesterday’s matches as they play Al Ahli Tripoli in the second leg of the Caf Confederation Cup semifinal at Orlando Stadium this afternoon.
The Buccaneers could finish on 49 points if they win their three remaining league matches against Royal, Maritzburg and SuperSport. Their matches against Royal and Maritzburg were postponed because of their Confederation Cup duties.
Pirates will also not be part of Saturday’s final round if they win against Ahli today and qualify for the Confederation Cup final, which will be played in Uyo, Nigeria, on Friday.
Sundowns suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat at home against Stellenbosch FC, who assured themselves a place in the top eight. Ashley du Preez, who has been linked with Chiefs, scored a brace while Jayden Adams chipped in the other for Steve Barker’s side.
The Sundowns loss was only their fourth this season and won’t concern them much as they’ll celebrate lifting a record-extending fifth successive league title after their last game against Royal at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday.
All Results: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-3 Stellenboch; Baroka 3-1 SuperSport United; Golden Arrows 2-2 Royal AM; Sekhukhune United 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs; Swallows 0-0 Chippa United; TS Galaxy 0-0 Marumo Gallants.