The winners of this season’s Absa Premiership will be decided on the final day after league leaders Kaizer Chiefs and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns both won their penultimate matches.
Chiefs narrowly defeated nine-man Chippa United 1-0 thanks to Khama Billiat’s ninth-minute strike. Meanwhile, Sundowns outclassed Polokwane City 3-0 with Anele Ngcongca, Themba Zwane and Keletso Makgalwa getting on the score sheet.
The results mean both sides have 56 points but Chiefs still have a superior goal difference of +21 compared to Sundowns’ +18.
There also still remains a lot to be decided on the final day of a thrilling season. Third place is still up for grabs with three sides in contention.
SuperSport United, who currently occupy third with 50 points, are in pole position having secured a 4-1 win against struggling Baroka. They are a point ahead of fourth-placed Orlando Pirates who edged Maritzburg United 1-0. Bidvest Wits, who began the matchday in third, lost 1-0 to Black Leopards but are also a point off third place in fifth.
In other games, Golden Arrows and Bloemfontein Celtic drew 0-0, Stellenbosch and Amazulu drew 1-1 while Highlands Park edged Cape Town City 1-0.
At the bottom of the table, last-placed Polokwane City can only finish in 15th which will see them go into a relegation playoff against a team from the GladAfrica Championship. They have 25 points and are three points adrift of Baroka. However, Polokwane’s inferior goal difference (-17) compared to Baroka’s (-9) means they are all but relegated.
Chippa United (31), Amazulu (29) and Leopards (29) are still not safe from the prospect of having to contest the relegation playoff as they are within reach of Baroka, who will face a difficult match.
The final round of games will be played on August 5 with all matches kicking off simultaneously. This is the list of fixtures:
Baroka v Kaizer Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns v Black Leopards
Chippa United v Golden Arrows
Bidvest Wits v Polokwane City
Amazulu v Highlands Park
Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch
Cape Town City v SuperSport United
Bloemfontein Celtic v Maritzburg United
