Magesi FC have avoided direct relegation from the Betway Premiership after they defeated Richards Bay 1-0 at the Seshego Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Dikwena tsa Meetse secured the victory (just their fifth of the season) thanks to a second-half penalty from Mcedi Vandala and the result – combined with Orbit College’s defeat at the hands of newly-crowned champions Orlando Pirates – was enough to lift them from last place to 15th on the log.
This means Magesi will enter the promotion/relegation playoffs against Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs Cape Town City and Milford FC.
As for the Natal Rich Boyz, they finished the season in 11th place on the log, having entered the game with neither relegation nor a top-eight place a possibility.
The teams traded half chances through the first quarter of the match, before a defensive error from Richards Bay allowed Magesi’s Mcedi Vandala to burst through on goal in the 28th minute, but he was denied one-on-one by the on-rushing goalkeeper Siphesihle Mtshali.
The deadlock remained in place until early in the second half when Bay’s Moses Mthembu tripped up Edmore Chirambadare, who had just entered the game as a substitute, and a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Vandala stepped up and struck home a low shot from 12 yards to put Magesi 1-0 up.
Dikwena tsa Meetse had further chances to add to their advantage through the remainder of the game, but they ultimately held out for a nervy but welcome win, keeping alive their hopes of retaining a place in the Premiership for another season.
Magesi FC (0) 1 (Vandala 47’ pen)
Richards Bay 0
Magesi: Chipezeze, Makgoga, Mofokeng, L. Mokone, J. Mokone, Darpoh (Matima 81’), Masegela (Mosadi 46’), Seseane (Muvhango 66’), Raphadu (Chirambadare 46’), Vandala, Luthuli (Mashego 81’)
Bay: Mtshali, Mabuya (Kunene 46’), Zuke, Mkhabela, Simelane, Mthembu (Khumalo 75’), Nashixwa (Mbambo 46’), Barns (Mdunge 55’), Ngema, Mahala (Bomelo 46’), Zikhali