Menzi Magubane
Mamelodi Sundowns will have to wait another day to lift their DStv Premiership.
On Saturday the Brazilians were hoping to lift their fourth consecutive premiership trophy in Durban against Royal AM but poor weather conditions prevented just that.
The match was delayed early in the first-half together with the Maritzburg United clash against Baroka FC.
But the latter match continued while the Downs match could not continue.
Baroka’s 1-0 defeat to the Team of Choice in Pietermaritzburg saw the Limpopo-side being automatically relegated.
Last season Baroka avoided relegation in the last match of the season where they ended in 13th place.
On Saturday unfortunately they were not so lucky in their last match of this season as they succumbed to relegation.
Before the match they only wanted a win against the Team or Choice and hoped that Swallows would lose or draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
The last day was the decider and it ended up as Baroka being relegated and Swallows going to the relegation/promotion play-offs. For the Dube Birds, who were 25 points tied up with Baroka, needed at least to win against Chiefs to give me a surviving chance.
A well fought 2-2 draw against their Soweto rivals gave them another chance to live another day in the premiership.
Swallows were promoted two seasons ago but their financial problems saw them struggle this season and they should be thankful that they were not automatically relegated.
However, the play-offs gives them another chance to bounce back if they can win against the GladAfrica Championship second and third fish outfits.
Swallows supporters may be happy that they got a point at Chiefs but Amakhosi are not.
Chiefs were looking to finish second and get the CAF Champions League spot if Royal AM lose to Downs.
But everything is shattered – especially that Royal AM still has to go with Downs on Sunday or even Monday depending on the weather in Durban.
Image source: @SASoccerMag
