By NAKAMPE LEKWADU
PRETORIA University’s Motsepe Foundation Championship title chase is now in the hands of Black Leopards.
AmaTuks face Lidoda Duvha in a do or die league match on Sunday, May 05 fully aware that a defeat in that match will see their title chase dream go up in smoke.
The Tshwane based side are on the second position with 45 points from 27 matches, and they are six points behind log leaders, Magesi FC and they are very much aware that a loss away to Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium will see them dropping the race for the title which they hoped for an automatic promotion. Leopards also are desperate for points to completely move away from the dreaded relegation zone as they are lying on the 11th position with 33 points, just five points clear from neighbors, Venda Academy who are on the 15th position with 28 points.
Pretoria University who were at some stage on a single point behind Magesi have themselves to blame after they easily dropped points in the last minutes of two matches, first against the same Magesi who beat them 1-0 in the referee’s added time on before they could allow JDR FC to come back from a 1-0 deficit to force a 1-all draw against them in a midweek match (May 1). Their last three matches, including the one against Leopards and two more away to neighbors, Pretoria Callies and at home against Baroka are very crucial as other slipups could even see them fail to qualify for the promotional play-offs ahead of their other seven opponents who are heavily breathing behind them.
As Magesi who are sitting comfortably on top of the log with 52 points and plus 15 goal difference as opposed to AmaTuks’ plus 7, all they need is just one victory to seal their dream title and go all the way to earn promotion to the top flight automatically. The Polokwane based side who beat bagged yet another three valuable points after their away 2-0 victory over Platinum City on May 1, will be welcoming relegation threatened side, Milford FC (12th on the log with 31 points) in another league match to be played on the same day. They (Magesi) will play their last two matches, firstly away to Casric FC on May 12 before they could wrap their glorious 2023/24 season at home (Peter Mokaba Stadium) against Venda Academy on May 19.
In the other two matches which are expected to be thrillers, third placed Baroka who are on 42 points will be at home at the Global Baroka Village in Lebowakgomo against another relegation candidates, Marumo Gallants while fourth placed, JDR FC (42 points) will play-host Orbit College.
The rest of the fixtures on May 5 are: Casric stars v Platinum City, Maritzburg United v Hungry Lions, Pretoria Callies v Venda Academy and Upington City v NB La Masia
