With the Motsepe Foundation Championship title race set to go down to the wire, we take a look at the key run-in fixtures for the leading contenders as the season nears its dramatic conclusion
First | Durban City
P27 W15 D7 L5 GD20 Pts52
Remaining fixtures : Milford FC, Black Leopards and Cape Town Spurs.
Durban City FC are just four points away from securing promotion to the top flight, with only second-placed Orbit College still mathematically capable of catching them — though City also have a game in hand.
Their next challenge comes against Black Leopards, one of the five sides to defeat them this season in a 2-1 result at Thohoyandou Stadium back in October.
Despite that setback, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit have been one of the most consistent performers in the league. With just one defeat in their last five outings, they will go into their next match knowing their destiny is firmly in their own hands when they host Lidoda Duvha at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Second | Orbit College
P28 W13 D10 L5 GD12 Pts49
Remaining fixtures : JDR Stars and Lerumo United
Orbit College have picked up the most points of any side in their last five fixtures as they have managed to shake off their 1-0 loss against Highbury FC in March.
The North West-based outfit have given themselves a chance at the title with the run that has seen them pick-up 13 points from a possible 15, giving themselves an outside chance at the championship with the promotion play-offs, should their title charge fall short.
They will next face sixth-placed JDR Stars at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off) looking to add to their seven-match-losing streak.
Third | Casric Stars
P28 W12 D8 L8 GD8 Pts44
Remaining fixtures: Venda FC and Hungry Lions
The Mpumalanga-based outfit are out of contention for the league title but they still have a say in the playoff spot as wins in their final two fixtures could be enough for them to progress should the other results go their way.
It will be key in their remaining two matches that they not only win but also push for goals as Orbit College already have a better goal difference and they only need one point to reach the maximum points Stars can reach even if they win both their remaining fixtures.
They will next face Venda FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Fourth | Black Leopards
P28 W12 D8 L8 GD7 Pts44
Remaining Fixtures: Durban City and University of Pretoria
Lidoda Duvha will rue their costly 2-1 defeat against Casric Stars the last time out in the league as it not only gave their direct rivals an advantage, but it also made it harder for them to keep pressure on second-placed Orbit College for the play-off spot.
The Limpopo outfit will still have a lot of say in what happens in the remainder of the campaign as their fixture with Durban City is enough to blow the title race wide open, should they win on in Durban Sunday.
Fifth | Kruger United
P28 W12 D8 L8 GD4 Pts44
Remaining fixtures: Highbury FC and Venda FC
Kruger United haven’t executed the most crucial part of their season perfectly and their last four games which have only brought them four points, have been the difference in them still being able to fight for the league title and where they currently stand.
Second place is still within reach but out of their hands and they will need other results to go their way when they meet Highbury FC on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
