SuperSport United avoided relegation with a 1-1 draw in a resumed match halted earlier by load shedding chaos.
SuperSport United have officially secured their place in the Premiership for next season after holding Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled fixture played on Thursday at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
The match, originally scheduled for February 28, was abandoned at halftime due to an unexpected power outage caused by load shedding. With the score locked at 1-1, play could not continue as the stadium reportedly had no functioning backup generator to restore power. As a result, only the second half was played on Thursday in front of a modest crowd, bringing closure to a bizarre chapter in the league season.
First Half Struck By Load-Shedding
Christian Saile netted for SuperSport in what was coach Gavin Hunt’s 1000th professional match—an impressive milestone in South African soccer. However, that celebration would soon be overshadowed by the uncertainty that followed the abandoned match. Velemseni Ndwandwe scored for Golden Arrows to level matters before the power cut halted proceedings.
The Game Returns Without A Bang
Upon the game’s resumption on Thursday, both sides failed to find another goal during the final 45 minutes, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. While the result may not have thrilled fans, it was enough to secure SuperSport United’s safety. They concluded the campaign in 14th position on the log with 27 points from 28 matches.
Hunt Leaves, SuperSport Survive
In the wake of the chaotic end to the season, Gavin Hunt has since parted ways with SuperSport United, marking the end of his second spell with the club shortly after reaching his milestone match.
Despite the drama, SuperSport live to fight another season in the top tier—barely, but safely.
City Playoff Scrape Due To Goal-Difference Setback.
Cape Town City, who also finished with 27 points, dropped to 15th due to an inferior goal difference. They now face the nerve-wracking reality of competing in the Premier Soccer League promotion and the relegation/playoffs to preserve their top-flight status.
Relegation Battlers Versus Promotion Contenders
Orbit College from the North West province and Casric Stars from Mpumalanga have qualified for the promotion/relegation playoffs.
However, the playoff picture remains uncertain, with a pending case before the SAFA arbitration. Durban City finished top of the Championship. This would usually mean automatic promotion. However, they are embroiled in legal action that could alter the current standings and playoff lineup. They stand accused of fielding an ineligible player.
