The DStv Prem March to title, safety and Top 8
With Sundowns having all but secured the title, the rest of the season could still produce some interesting twist and turns, especially in the Top 8 and the battle to avoid relegation.
As things stand right now, only Sundowns is mathematically guaranteed a top eight finish and the rest of other 15 teams still have to fight it out for a place in one of the most lucrative cup competitions in the country.
The relegation title race is a different one this season; 30 points does not guarantee safety for the first time in many years, with Marumo Gallants, Swallows, Chippa United, and Maritzburg all in danger.
Here is a recap of some of the all-or-nothing matches as the march to the end of the season reaches boiling point:
3 MARCH
Orlando Pirates bounced back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership in style as they hammered Swallows FC 4-1 at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday night. Despite the win, the Buccaneers remained third on the league standings, but they are now two points behind second-placed SuperSport United. Bucs will now face Venda FA in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 match on 11 March.
4 MARCH
Richards Bay 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs emerged as 1-0 winners over 10-man Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, on Saturday afternoon. The victory elevated Amakhosi to the fourth spot on the league standings and they will now lock horns with Casric Stars in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 match on 12 March.
5 MARCH
SuperSport United maintained their grip on second place in the DStv Premiership after they beat Golden Arrows 2-1 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday evening. Zakhele Lepasa scored his first goals for the club in each half to secure back-to-back wins in the league as Gavin Hunt's side maintained the five-point gap to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
14 MARCH
Mamelodi Sundowns extended their impressive unbeaten run to 17 matches in the DStv Premiership when they thumped Royal AM 5-1 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.
The win saw Masandawana edge closer to retaining the league title as they opened a 20-point lead at the top of the standings and they will now face Al Hilal Omduman in a CAF Champions League match on Saturday in Sudan.
17 MARCH
Golden Arrows secured a narrow 1-0 away win over Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership match played at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening, Pule Mmodi scored the only goal as Abafana Bes’thende claimed a second win from their last three league outings, while the Birds suffered a second straight league loss and a third from their last four in the top flight.
18 MARCH
Orlando Pirates 1-0 SuperSport
Orlando Pirates made it two wins in a row in the DStv Premiership when they claimed a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. The win saw Bucs remain third on the league standings - but they are now two points behind second-placed SuperSport and Pirates are scheduled to face Richards Bay on 1 April.
19 MARCH
TS Galaxy extended their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership in style when they hammered Richards Bay 4-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The emphatic victory saw the Rockets climb up to the seventh spot on the league standings and they are set to square off with Maritzburg United on 2 April after the upcoming international Fifa break.
