The final-day fixtures for the Motsepe Foundation Championship have set up almost a knockout round for clubs vying for the playoffs.
Sunday’s fixtures see second-placed AmaTuks taking on third-placed Baroka, while fourth-placed JDR Stars take on fifth-placed Maritzburg United.
A draw would be enough for AmaTuks to secure their place, but if they were to lose, and JDR Stars beat Maritzburg, they would miss out and drop to fourth. AmaTuks have been going through a rough run, and have not won in their last six league matches.
Victory would guarantee Dan Malesela’s Baroka team a playoff spot, but a draw would be enough if JDR fails to beat Maritzburg.
JDR need to win and hope Baroka does not beat Tuks.
Maritzburg, have only an outside chance, and to finish third, they would have to beat JDR, and hope AmaTuks beat Baroka.
Sixth-placed Upington City aren’t technically out of the race but would need both JDR and Baroka to lose and to beat Casric Stars by a big enough scoreline to surpass Baroka and Maritzburg’s superior goal differences.
Mathematically five teams are also still in danger of relegation, with the key match likely to be Black Leopards, who are 12th, taking on NB La Masia, who are currently sitting in the 15th position, the second relegation spot.
Already relegated Platinum City Rovers take on Hungry Lions.
All Sunday’s fixtures:
Marumo Gallants v Orbit College
Black Leopards v NB La Masia
Upington City v Casric Stars
Magesi v Venda Football Club
Milford v Pretoria Callies
AmaTuks v Baroka
JDR Stars v Maritzburg United
Platinum City Rovers v Hungry Lions
