Magesi book promotion, but playoff picture is murky

Magesi FC confirmed their automatic promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship on Sunday when they defeated Milford FC 3-1 to open an unassailable 18-point lead at the top of the table.

But there is still a big scrap going on behind them to claim two promotion playoff positions, while in the DStv Premiership, the relegation situation is getting clearer with every passing week.

PROMOTION FROM THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP

MAGESI FC

Matches played: 28

Points / goal-difference: 55 / +17

Coach Clinton Larsen has masterminded a feat few saw coming at the start of the campaign as Limpopo side Magesi get to play their first season in the elite league. Back-to-back wins in the past week made sure they could not be caught and with 16 wins (the next highest in 12), few can argue they don’t deserve their promotion. They can relax for the final two rounds.

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

Matches played: 28

Points / goal-difference: 47 / +8

AmaTuks have stumbled at the worst possible point of the season and no wins in five (D3 L2) have taken them from promotion favourites to now trying to cling on to a playoff spot. They must travel to Pretoria Callies and will then finish the season at home to promotion rivals Baroka FC in what is a tricky final two games. They may need to win both. They do have the best defence in the division with only 20 goals conceded, but 28 goals scored in 28 games is their issue.

BAROKA FC

Matches played: 28

Points / goal-difference: 45 / +9

Baroka FC have shot up the table on the back of three wins and currently occupy the second promotion playoff place as they seek a return to the big time. Veteran coach Dan Malesela has the team singing and he will know what it takes to get them over the line and back into the DStv Premiership. Before they take on AmaTuks, they must also play promotion rivals JDR Stars, so there is much work still to be done.

JDR STARS

Matches played: 28

Points / goal-difference: 45 / +4

Stars are only outside the top three on goal difference but are enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run (W6 D2), so they have momentum and form on their side. Counting against them is the fact they have the worst defensive record in the top five with 27 goals conceded and the second-worst attack with 31 scored. Aside from Baroka FC, they will also play Maritzburg United at home on the final day, another of the top five.

MARITZBURG UNITED

Matches played: 28

Points / goal-difference: 42 / +11

Maritzburg’s late-season surge has brought them into contention, but they will definitely have to win both their final two games to stand a chance. Even that might not be enough. They have won five of their last seven in the league (D1 L1), and only conceded two goals in their last 10 games as coach Simo Dladla has brought a new level of organisation that was missing in the first half of the campaign. They will expect to beat already relegated Platinum City Rovers in their penultimate game before the trip to JDR Stars.

RELEGATION FROM THE DSTV PREMIERSHIP

CAPE TOWN SPURS

Matches played: 26

Points / goal-difference: 15 / -23

It is difficult to see a way out for Spurs, they will probably need to win all four remaining games and even that may not be enough, though it will give them a chance. A home loss to Polokwane City last time out was a sickening blow and perhaps the last straw for the side as they sit eight points adrift in the automatic relegation place. Their next three games are all away, at Royal AM, SuperSport United and Lamontville Golden Arrows, before they finish at home to Kaizer Chiefs. It looks too tall an order.

RICHARDS BAY

Matches played: 26

Points / goal-difference: 23 / -13

Richards Bay grabbed a crucial 2-1 home win over AmaZulu in their last outing to put daylight between themselves and last place, but they are still six points short of absolute safety. However, having won three of their last four games, they have at least found some form at the right time in the season. They have three away games in a row, and a very tough run-in. They travel to Polokwane City, Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City, before finishing at home to in-form Stellenbosch. Given that they need at least two wins, that looks challenging.

ROYAL AM

Matches played: 25

Points / goal-difference: 29 / -16

Conventional wisdom says Royal AM need just one more point to be safe and with five games remaining, they should get that somewhere along the line. But back-to-back losses will have dented confidence somewhat and their squad has creaked under a Fifa transfer ban that shows no sign of being lifted. Their big chance will come next up when they host Cape Town Spurs on Tuesday, before home and away back-to-back games against Mamelodi Sundowns. Chippa United (home) and Moroka Swallows (away) are also on the horizon.

MOROKA SWALLOWS

Matches played: 26

Points / goal-difference: 29 / -9

Swallows took a giant step towards safety when they claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 success away at Chippa United last time out and, like Royal AM, they likely need just a single point from their remaining four games to be safe. There are no easy games though as they have a Western Cape double next, away at Cape Town City and home to Stellenbosch FC, before they go to SuperSport United and host Royal AM on the final day.