While Kruger United strengthened their grip at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship pile this weekend, Black Leopards made crucial ground in their bid to avoid relegation from South Africa’s first division.
Lidoda Duvha, who has been battling at the bottom end of the table for much of the season, picked up three vital points during their 2-0 win over Casric Stars on Friday.
Leopards have now recorded two wins on the trot in 15th position, just one point away from safety.
Their march toward safety was further supplemented by Midlands Wanderers’ 3-0 loss against Kruger United on Saturday, with the former occupying 14th place currently.
Kruger’s win over Midlands Wanderers moved them five points clear of second-placed Cape Town City. They also recorded three consecutive wins, bringing their total to 49 points from 25 matches.
The Mother City outfit could only manage a 0-0 draw against Hungry Lions on Saturday, ending their two-match winning streak in the league.
Still unbeaten in four matches, City accumulated 44 points for the season as they hope for a Betway Premiership return at the end of the campaign.
As a club likewise sitting five points from the summit, Hungry Lions missed a golden opportunity to go second on the log after their game against City.
Hungry Lions ended the latest game week sitting in fourth position as the race for promotion heats up.
Elsewhere, Milford returned to the winning column this weekend following a 3-1 win against Upington City on Saturday.
Milford thus made amends for their 2-1 defeat to Gomora United on 11 April as they sit five points behind log leaders Kruger United in third place.
Lastly, Lerumo Lions bagged a 2-0 victory over Baroka on Sunday afternoon. Bakgakga’s hopes of staying in the division now hang in the balance after their fifth straight defeat.
They remain in 16th position, seven points from safety with five games to go.
MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Friday, 17 April
Casric Stars 0-2 Black Leopards
University of Pretoria 1-1 Gomora United
Saturday, 18 April
Venda Football Academy 2-0 The Bees
Cape Town City 0-0 Hungry Lions
Highbury 3-0 Leicesterford City
Milford 3-1 Upington City
Kruger United 3-0 Midlands Wanderers
Sunday, 19 April
Lerumo Lions 2-0 Baroka