The final round of league fixtures was played on Saturday, and SuperSport needed to collect points to steer clear of the playoffs. Unfortunately, they went down 2–0 to Richards Bay in Polokwane.

Meanwhile, in the Mother City, bottom-of-the-log Cape Town City held Stellenbosch FC to a goalless draw, earning a crucial point. That result lifted the Citizens to 14th place – one point above SuperSport – but their safety is still not guaranteed.

SuperSport United interim coach Andre Arendse. Photo: X

SuperSport remain in the spotlight amid strong speculation about an off-season move to Bloemfontein, where they are expected to be rebranded as Bloemfontein Celtic. Reports suggest a consortium of businessmen has acquired the club’s PSL status.

There is still a chance for SuperSport to pick up three vital points. On 23 February, they hosted Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, but the match was abandoned at half-time due to load-shedding, with the score level at 1–1.

The PSL has since ruled that the second half of that match must be completed. However, a date for the resumption is yet to be confirmed.

If the match resumes and the scoreline stays the same, SuperSport will gain a point, enough to secure their survival. That would move them up to 27 points, and level with Cape Town City, but they will end higher on the table thanks to a slightly better goal difference.

SuperSport Unite vs. Orlando Pirates. Photo: X

SuperSport’s goal difference currently stands at -12, while Cape Town City’s is -16. This means that even a draw in the replayed fixture would be enough to keep the side from the capital city in the top flight. Still, a win would be a far more comfortable outcome.

A defeat will, however, lead to Cape Town City surviving by the skin of their teeth.

For Arrows, there’s not much at stake. Even a win might not push them into the top eight unless they manage to score six unanswered goals in the remaining 45 minutes – an unlikely scenario.

The PSL is yet to confirm when the remainder of the match between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows will be played.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg