Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s local football as Richards Bay were promoted to the DStv Premiership, relegation battle goes to the wire and more!
Richards Bay crowned champions
Richards Bay were crowned champions of the Glad Africa Championship after playing to a goalless draw vs Cape Town Spurs in uMlaza. Richards Bay came close last season but were overtaken by Sekhukhune and Royal AM at the summit to qualify for relegation/promotion playoffs. Sifiso Biyela, chairman of the club, announced that the club is not for sale following rumors that he might sell again after what happened when he promoted then Thanda Royal Zulu and sold status to the current AmaZulu. Rich Boyz join AmaZulu, Royal AM, Maritzburg United, and Arrows in the elite league.
KZN 5
— FARPost_ZA (@FARPostZA) May 15, 2022
Richards Bay are the #GladAfricaChampionship winners.
The Natal Rich Boyz join AmaZulu, Maritzburg United, Golden Arrows and Royal AM as #DStvPrem teams from the province.#FARPost pic.twitter.com/oMUkkNNAYC
Stellenbosch humbled Sundowns
Stellenbosch humbled champions Sundowns 3-0 at the electrifying Tuks stadium in a dead rubber. Sundowns already champions gave some of the fringe players an opportunity to play and the trio of coaches were left disappointed. This win for Stellies came at the venue where coach Steve Barker made a name for himself with AmaTuks. The victory also secured top 8 position for the Stellies boys.
Stellenbosch FC will finish in the top eight for the very first time.#Stellies 🍇 pic.twitter.com/kGcwWZoI0m
— Sinethemba Makonco 🇿🇦 (@Makonco_M) May 14, 2022
The relegation battle goes to the wire
Baroka, Swallows and TS Galaxy will require a final push in the last round of fixtures to determine who gets automatically relegated, playoff or save the season.
Baroka and Swallows are separated by goal difference [-3] on positions 15 and 16, having been tied on 25 points after 29 games. Baroka fought hard to defeat SuperSport United 3-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Swallows on the other hand played to a goalless draw at home in Dobsonville against Chippa United.
Chippa and Maritzburg are as good as safe, with both sides have a far better goal difference and a 3 points gap than Baroka and Swallows. All football lovers will be glued on their screens to witness the finale.
The DStv Premiership relegation battle is set to go down to the wire after Baroka FC beat SuperSport United 3-1, while Swallows FC and TS Galaxy dropped points on Saturday. https://t.co/GmT42cioyx
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) May 15, 2022
Hollywoodbets Super League
Durban Ladies earned their first three points of the season in the Hollywoodbets Super League following a 2-1 home win against First Touch Ladies.
The win didn’t give Durban Ladies any movement on the log table as they remained 13th on the log. Meanwhile in Cape Town, UWC provided the shock of the weekend when the defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0. It was UWC’s first home win in the league and they jumped from 9th to 5th on the log.
JVW are back on top after defeating struggling City Lads 1-0 away and open a three points gap at the top of the log.
Player of the week: Bonginkosi Makume (Baroka)
JVW back at the top of the log since week 1 following their 1-0 away win in EC.
— Pro Philani (@prophilani) May 15, 2022
Defending champions Sundowns suffer their first defeat in years in CT to give UWC their 1st home win of the season.
Durban Ladies get their first goals, and their first win of the season.
