Baroka relegated
Bakgakga ba ga Mphahlele, as Baroka are affectionately known, were relegated from the DStv Premiership following a defeat at Maritzburg United.
It was to be a bitter-sweet moment of revenge for coach Ernst Midderndorp as one would recall, it was Baroka that took the title at the hands of the Midderndorp-led Kaizer Chiefs side in the 2019/20 season. Although, I’m sure Middendorp would have taken no joy in condemning another side to relegation.
Baroka went to the match against Maritzburg without a win away from home and were hoping for the first of the season but Maritzburg were focused from the on-set and veteran defender Clayton Daniels ensured Baroka’s fate when he netted the opener and only goal in the 55th minute.
Stellenbosch and CT City in running for CAF spots
Stellies defeated Cape Town City 1-0 in a fiercely contested Cape Derby. It was an emotional send-off for defender Zitha Kwinika, who had been named Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season at Stellies’ awards.
Midfielder Granwald Scott netted a winner in the 87th minute to ensure Stellenbosch round-off a great season and will have to wait for Royal AM and Pirates to confirm their final log position. In the 2020/21 season, Stellies finished third from bottom, with just 29 points, two points away from play-off spot.
This season, Stellenbosch earned 18 points more than last season and were the third best side away from home. Steve Barker will be pleased with the form of marksman Ashley Du Preez who also earned himself a Bafana call-up alongside defender Athenkosi Mcaba.
Du Preez who was criticized for missing chances found his scoring boots, he netted nine league goals. Both City and Stellenbosch will be hoping Pirates and Royal AM don’t earn all the available points as they want to bring CAF football to the Cape next season.
Swallows get a second chance
Swallows would contest the relegation/ promotional play-offs against Cape Town All Stars and the University of Pretoria following a 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
Swallows were a side faced with lots of off-the-field issues and coach Dylan Kerr had inherited a side at war with itself. Converted to a defender, Solomons netted both penalties to bring the Dube birds some hope before Bernard Parker broke Swallows’ hearts from a close-range freekick.
The draw also meant there will be no CAF football for last season’s CAFCL runners-up Kaizer Chiefs.
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