Their remaining two league matches will be a formality for one of the local National First Division League teams, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). Vhadau Vha Damani, as they are affectionately called, are now out of the promotional playoff race. This after they gave away more significant league points last Saturday. They shared the spoils with Super Eagles, with whom they played to a goalless draw at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem.
TTM are lying in the sixth position on the log with 38 points, following their poor performance in the last five league matches. Even if they manage to win their remaining two matches, it will not be possible for them to overtake the top three teams, Highlands Park, Black Leopards and Jomo Cosmos. Highlands Park are shining on top of the log with 63 points.
While Highlands Park will gain automatic promotion to the elite league, the race for the promotional playoffs is on among four teams, Black Leopards, Jomo Cosmos, Real Kings and Witbank Spurs. Black Leopards have accumulated 47 points to date, while Jomo Cosmos are one point behind. Real Kings and Witbank Spurs are in the fourth and fifth position respectively with 42 points each.
Black Leopards and Jomo Cosmos registered convincing victories over the past weekend. Jomo Cosmos crushed Mthatha Bucks 3-0, while Black Leopards walloped Richards Bay FC 4-0. Joseph Mhlongo scored a brace for Black Leopards while Ivan Mahangwahaya and Meshack Maphangule scored the other two goals. Real Kings drew 1-1 with Pretoria University.
Mthatha Bucks have officially been relegated to the lower division, despite the fact that they still have to play two matches in the NFD. One of the six relegation candidates, Richards Bay, Ubuntu Cape Town, Super Eagles, Uthongathi FC, Royal Eagles or Mbombela United, will join Mthatha Bucks on their way down.