Maritzburg edge closer to top-flight survival

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday May 19, 2021. 19:16

Maritzburg United have edged closer to DStv Premiership survival after a 0-0 draw away to Cape Town City in one of two matches played across South Africa’s top flight on Wednesday 19 May.

The Citizens and the Team of Choice played out a drab stalemate at the Cape Town Stadium in an early-evening clash. Maritzburg finished the game with 10 men and will therefore see it as a point won rather than two lost, though the fact that they are just four points clear of the relegation playoff zone will leave them with an uncomfortable wait for their next match against SuperSport United early next month.

As for the Citizens, they stay in seventh place and can guarantee a top-eight finish if they win one of their two remaining league clashes.

DStv Premiership League Table

Wednesday’s afternoon game saw Golden Arrows return to form in emphatic style, crushing TS Galaxy 3-0 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Goals from Michael Gumede, Pule Mmodi and Ntsako Makhubela helped Abafana Bes’thende strengthen their grip on third place on the log, moving three points clear of nearest chasers Orlando Pirates (who have two games in hand).

As for the Rockets, their top-eight hopes remain alive and well (they are ninth, one point behind eighth-placed Baroka FC and with a game in hand over the Limpopo side), but a sixth defeat from their last eight league outings will be major cause for concern.

The DStv Premiership will resume with further catch-up fixtures spread from 26 to 30 May, with the key match a Tshwane derby in which Mamelodi Sundowns will secure the league title if they defeat SuperSport United.

DStv Premiership results, Wednesday 19 May

Golden Arrows 3-0 TS Galaxy

Cape Town City 0-0 Maritzburg United