Durban City on the brink of promotion as relegation battle heats up

Durban City’s persistence throughout the 2024/25 NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship season is on the verge of paying off, with promotion to the Betway Premiership now firmly within their grasp — unless a dramatic twist unfolds on the final day.

Orbit College are the only team still mathematically capable of overtaking the KwaZulu-Natal side, but they face a daunting task in their final match against already relegated Leruma United. To leapfrog City, Orbit would need to score at least six goals.

City have been impressive across the campaign, losing just six of their 29 matches and boasting the league’s highest goal tally (43), giving them a comfortable cushion heading into what promises to be a tense final round.

With Orbit having already secured a play-off spot after all four teams beneath them dropped points over the weekend, the spotlight could soon shift to the scrap for survival at the foot of the table. Leruma United have officially been relegated, but the real drama lies ahead as the relegation picture becomes clearer in the closing round.

12th I Hungry Lions

P29 W8 D9 L12 GD1 Pts33

Remaining fixture: Casric Stars

Both sides will be coming off draws when they clash in the final round of the season, and the same  result could be enough for Lions to avoid any final-day disappointment. Their goal difference, however, gives them the edge over their competitors.

13th I Upington City

P29 W7 D11 L11 GD-3 Pts32

Remaining fixture: Highbury FC

Before their 2-0 victory over the University of Pretoria, Upington City had endured a rough stretch, managing just one win in their last ten outings — a 2-1 victory over Pretoria Callies back in February.

Despite the slump, the Northern Cape side still has a chance to end their season on a stronger note and add to their seven wins. Their final fixture against Highbury FC will be a must-win clash if they aim to keep their fate in their hands.

14th I Venda FC

P29 W7 D9 L13 GD-4 Pts30

Remaining fixture: Kruger United

Teetering in 14th place only by virtue of goal difference, Venda FC face a daunting end to their Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign, with their final fixture against fifth-placed Kruger United.

The Limpopo-based club has managed just one win in their last five outings — a slump that now dangerously flirts with relegation. With the margin for error narrowing, they’ll need to find form fast against a United side that will want to finish their season on a high after missing out on the promotion playoff battle.

15th I Cape Town Spurs

P29 W6 D12 L11 GD-5 Pts30

Remaining fixture:  Durban City

The Cape side is facing two consecutive relegations in two seasons following their relegation in the Premier Soccer League last season. Currently 15th on the log, Spurs have to navigate a tricky final fixture against a Hungry Lions side they beat 2-1 in the first leg in what could be a winner-takes-all affair.

They will rue their missed opportunity to gain some points after their 1-1 draw with Hungry Lions last weekend as they get ready to face high-flying Durban City in their final fixture.