Kruger on cusp of promotion, Baroka relegated

The weekend’s Motsepe Foundation Championship action saw major headlines being made at either end of the table, with leaders Kruger United moving to the cusp of sealing the title and automatic promotion, while Baroka FC have been relegated.

Kruger claimed an emphatic 3-0 away win over Baroka on Sunday – a result which has seen the former open an eight-point lead at the top of the table with just three rounds remaining. The Looters will need just one more win to guarantee top spot and a place in next season’s Betway Premiership – and that’s assuming at least one of Milford FC and Hungry Lions win all of their remaining matches.

However, the result at the Mafori Mphahlele Stadium was terrible news for Baroka: combined with Midlands Wanderers’ 1-0 win over Venda FC, the loss to Kruger has condemned them to relegation to the amateur ranks for the first time since their promotion to pro football in 2013.

Sunday also saw Gomora United defeat Hungry Lions 2-1 – ending the latter’s 10-game unbeaten run in the league and leaving them in third place.

Cape Town City’s hopes of promotion suffered a major blow on Saturday when they extended their winless run to three matches with a 0-0 draw at The Bees, while Milford FC moved two points clear of the Citizens and into second place thanks to their 1-0 away win triumph over Black Leopards – a result which has pushed Lidoda Duvha ever closer to relegation.

Leicesterford City got the better of Casric Stars 2-1 – thanks to goals from Kamohelo Segopa and Phathutshedzo Nange – Upington City and the University of Pretoria played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, and Highbury FC edged Lerumo Lions 1-0 away from home courtesy of Mzoxolo Rafani.

The MFC will resume with Matchday 28 next weekend, headlined by Kruger United hosting Black Leopards.

MFC weekend results

Saturday 25 April

Leicesterford City 2-1 Casric Stars

Black Leopards 0-1 Milford

Upington City 2-2 University of Pretoria

The Bees 0-0 Cape Town City

Lerumo Lions 0-1 Highbury

Sunday 26 April

Baroka FC 0-3 Kruger United

Midlands Wanderers 1-0 Venda FC

Gomora United 2-1 Hungry Lions