Leruma relegation confirmed, title race goes down to the wire

The race for the Motsepe Foundation Championship title will come down to the final round of fixtures, while the first team to be relegated was confirmed during this weekend’s action.

Leruma United drew with Milford FC, leaving them four points behind Cape Town Spurs, who are now out of striking distance. They are the first team to be relegated this season.

Cape Town Spurs will look to avoid relegation on the season’s last day after Luke Baartman’s 75th-minute equaliser proved enough to earn a point away against Hungry Lions. Spurs sit level on points with Venda, who also played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday against Casric Stars.

However, Venda have a one-goal advantage on goal difference, meaning that Spurs will need to win by a better margin than Venda on the final day if they are to stay in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Durban City remain atop the standings after a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Black Leopards. However, Orbit College are still hot on their heels after registering a victory of their own against JDR Stars.

Although close, Orbit College face a near impossible task, needing Durban City to lose while they win their own game by a margin of seven goals to take top spot on the final day.

Upington City escaped the relegation zone with a convincing 2-0 win over the University of Pretoria, pulling two points clear of Venda and Cape Town Spurs. However, they are not safe yet and could be caught or surpassed if they do not win on the final day.

Pretoria Callies and Highbury walked away as victors on Sunday as they triumphed over Baroka FC and Kruger United, respectively.

With both relegation and glory at stake, the final round of fixtures will take place on Sunday, 18 May, with all teams in action simultaneously in what promises to be a dramatic finish to the 2024-25 season.

RESULTS

Hungry Lions 1-1 Cape Town Spurs

Leruma United 1-1 Milford

University of Pretoria 0-2 Upington City

Durban City 3-2 Black Leopards

Highbury 1-0 Kruger United

JDR Stars 0-2 Orbit College

Venda 1-1 Casric Stars

Baroka 1-2 Pretoria Callies