Soccer
The PSL officially concludes, SuperSport United safe─── MORGAN PIEK 14:38 Thu, 29 May 2025
The 2024/25 Premier Soccer League season is officially done and dusted, and SuperSport United have managed to avoid the dreaded promotion-relegation playoffs.
This past Saturday marked the final official matchday of the season, with SuperSport finishing 15th behind Cape Town City.
However, the PSL ruled that their incomplete home fixture against Golden Arrows earlier in the year still needed to be concluded.
Andre Arendse. Photo: X
On 23 February, a landmark occasion marking then-coach Gavin Hunt’s 1,000th PSL match, the game was suspended at halftime due to load shedding at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. The match had been level at 1-1, but neither side was awarded a point at the time.
That suspended second half was finally played on Thursday, more than three months later.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori and Golden Arrows played out a goalless second half at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with the match ending 1-1. The result was just enough to see SuperSport climb into 14th position, ahead of Cape Town City on goal difference, and out of relegation danger.
‘This was on a totally different level’
Interim coach Andre Arendse described the occasion as one of the most nerve-wracking moments of his football career.
“I’ve been in the game for over 30 years, played at the highest level, experienced pressure, nerves, all of it, but this was on a totally different level,” said the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain.
“This is the kind of character I asked for from the players, just go out there, stay focused, stay committed, and get it done. Today, they showed that. I can’t fault them. All the credit must go to the players.”
SuperSport United. Photo: X
In the off-season, SuperSport are reportedly set to relocate to Bloemfontein and rebrand as Bloemfontein Celtic. It’s understood that a consortium led by businessman Edward Modise, and backed by Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has purchased SuperSport United’s PSL status.
Earlier in the season, the same consortium acquired the naming rights and trademarks associated with Bloemfontein Celtic, with the intention of returning Phunya Sele Sele to their rightful place in South African football.
While the relocation appears to be a done deal, there is some speculation that the group may instead purchase the status of a National First Division (NFD) team and aim to secure promotion back into the PSL. Only time will tell.
