Although there are still three matches to play before the end of the Motsepe Foundation Championship League programme for the current season, Baroka FC are already officially relegated to the lower division.
Bakgakga’s relegation was confirmed after they lost 3-0 to Kruger United at the Mahori Mphahlele Stadium outside Lebowakgomo last Sunday. Baroka have 19 points, 12 behind the team in third-last position, Midlands Wanderers. Even if they win all three remaining matches, Baroka will finish on 28 points. The last two teams on the log at the end of the season will be relegated to the lower division.
Right now, the million-dollar question is: who will accompany Baroka to the lower division?
Although six teams are still fighting for survival, Black Leopards appear to be the most likely to join Baroka. Black Leopards are in second-last position with 25 points. Lidoda duvha can only reach a maximum of 34 points if they win all three remaining matches.
Two teams, The Bees FC and Midlands Wanderers, have 31 points each, while Lerumo Lions, University of Pretoria and Gomora United are on 32 points. The fact that Black Leopards’ upcoming fixture is against pace-setters Kruger United on Saturday is a cause for concern for the Thohoyandou side.
Kruger United need at least two points from their three remaining matches to be crowned league champions. Milford FC, Hungry Lions and Cape Town City are the three teams fighting for the two promotional playoff places.
One of the co-coaches of Black Leopards, Duncan Lechesa, is adamant that Lidoda duvha will win all their remaining matches and “see what will happen” to the other relegation candidates.