Samir Nurkovic THE likes of Samir Nurkovic (left) find themselves in an unusual relegation fight with SuperSport United, while TS Galaxy chase a rare top-four finish. | BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
IT is time to sink or swim as the final stretch of the 2024/2025 Premiership season begins this weekend, with super tricky fixtures for all the relegation strugglers, who among them, with a great sense of disbelief, include three-time champions SuperSport United.
Other teams in this bracket are Magesi FC, Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants, and with 24 points on the board respectively, Richards Bay FC and Lamontville Golden Arrows, even though they are currently standing at No 10 and 11.
Independent Media looked at the upcoming relegation battle fixtures as the once-mighty Matsatsantsa a Pitori begin for the second time life after coach Gavin Hunt, who was sacked on Human Rights Day.
Magesi FC v Stellenbosch FC, Saturday, 5.45pm
With 23 points after the same number of games, Magesi need at least seven points from the remaining seven league fixtures to break even with the Premiership relegation mark of 30 points.
Ahead of the international break, they were showing signs of getting recharged from their Carling Knockout babalas.
Unfortunately for them, they return to league action against Stellenbosch FC, who will be looking to cement their place in the top three. Stellies are stingy with goals, having conceded 16 to the 25 let in by Magesi.
Polokwane City v Richards Bay FC, Sunday, 3.30pm
Richards Bay are another side who have had a good month as they have collected seven points out of 12 in March.
They went to the international break flying without wings after beating the mighty Kaizer Chiefs 2-0.
Against Polokwane on Sunday, they will face a very unpredictable side that can turn the heat on any team on their day.
However, if the latest form will be anything to go by, it is Polokwane who should be worried.
But coach Phuti Mohafe will count on home-ground advantage to turn things around after two consecutive losses to Chippa United and Golden Arrows.
TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants, Sunday, 5.30pm
If there is a team that have had a great month, it is Galaxy as they are unbeaten in the league in four games in March. They have collected 10 out of 12 points, while Gallants had to deal with technical team changes.
After a two-week break, Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has had some much needed time to instil his philosophy after Dan Malesela’s carpet football was deemed worthless.
However, this match stands between Gallants’ Adnan Beganovic and a Coach of the Month award for March.
SuperSport United v Cape Town City, Sunday, 5.45pm
If anyone at the beginning of the season banked on SuperSport United and Cape Town City fighting relegation, they deserve respect.
City are now on the third pair of coaching hands after Muhsin Ertugral left during the international break after less than three months at the helm.
They are better placed than SuperSport at No 13, with 23 points from the same number of games.
Matsatsantsa, though, begin the final stretch from an unfamiliar 15th spot, and they themselves were left by a veteran coach in Hunt during the break.
Only home-ground advantage could see SuperSport through, with City boasting seriously talented and experienced personnel.