After months of disruption and uncertainties caused by the coronavirus, the 2019-20 season is finally set to come to its conclusion on Saturday afternoon. SoccerClub examines at the five teams looking to beat the drop on the final day.
One team’s fate, whoever finishes bottom, will be sealed on Saturday as their time in the top flight comes to an end, while one other team, whoever finishes second from bottom, will get a slight reprieve as they fall into the relegation/promotion playoffs where they will get a second chance to secure safety.
Here’s a look at each team’s task on the final day of the PSL:
Chippa United
After numerous coaching changes, Chippa United will be yet again hoping to secure their safety with Lehlohonolo Seema now at the helm.
The Eastern Cape’s sole representative in the PSL could have secured safety against Kaizer Chiefs last Wednesday, but after a controversial disallowed goal they succumbed to defeat, taking their survival fight to the last day.
While no longer in threat of suffering automatic relegation, they could well still have to participate in the promotion playoffs, should they not secure a point in their final fixture against Golden Arrows.
However, for that to happen, all of AmaZulu, Baroka and Black Leopards will have to prevail in what promises to be tough fixtures against Highlands Park, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
AmaZulu
Usuthu dwelt the bulk of the current season occupying at the bottom. They have, however, hit form in the bio-bubble post-lockdown and now look set to stage a great escape.
A crucial five points in their last three matches have had AmaZulu reach 29 points for the season, where they face no danger of dropping down automatically to the first division. They face Highlands Park on Saturday, where all they have to do is draw either match or better Black Leopards and Baroka’s results on the day.
Black Leopards
One of the form teams in the bubble has been Black Leopards, who now face the unenviable task of defeating the title-chasing defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their spot for next season.
Black Leopards stunned 2016-17 champions Bidvest Wits in their last outing, making it three wins in twice as many matches to reach 29 points, where they sit just below AmaZulu in the PSL standings.
Leopards will be hoping that title-chasing Kaizer Chiefs do their job against Baroka, which would secure the team from Thohoyandou safety for another season.
Baroka
Bakgakga, as with Leopards, are up against title chasers as they face a Kaizer Chiefs side desperate to win and claim their first piece of silverware in five years.
As matters stand, Baroka would need to beat Chiefs and hope that AmaZulu and Leoaprds both lose their final fixtures by big margins.
Polokwane City
Polokwane City looks destined for GladAfrica Championship regardless of what happens in the final round on Saturday.
Rise and Shine sit rock bottom and even if they beat Bidvest Wits – in what is the Clever Boys’ final game ever – they would need a massive turnaround in the goal difference column to save their PSL season.
