WeeklySA_AdminPLAYOFFS: ITS EITHER TUKS OR THE RICH BOYZ FOR PROMOTION TO THE ELITE LEAGUE WITH BAROKA LEFT TO PRAY
By Sports Reporter
Baroka FC Chairman Khurishi Mphahlele believes its not over yet and his side is still in the race for promotion despite failing to win any of their three matches played so far.
The Limpopo-based club played a 1-1 draw with University of Pretoria FC in their third encounter of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotional relegation playoffs.
The game was played at Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo in Limpopo on Wednesday. Mphahlele says he does not regret not making changes in the technical team during the playoffs.
He suspended coach, Dan Malesela and roped in Morgan Mammila to take over at the beginning of the playoffs. Baroka are playing to return to the elite league, however, they squandered an opportunity to remain in the race due to a lack of proper finishing. Their chance of winning promotion is slim, but not impossible. Mphahlele says the battle for a spot in the flight league is not over yet, as all three teams may still finish the playoffs with five points. He says, “We still have got something to play and then the one that is going to win this mini-league will go to five points and if we got five points we are still in.” Baroka Coach, Morgan Mammila shares the same sentiment with Mphahlele, saying he will only give up after the outcome of University of Pretoria and Richards Bay game on Saturday.
Mammila says, “I’m not giving up I will only give up on Saturday around 17: 30 if I have to, but I don’t think, so God must just do justice to football we need to believe that five is possible.” University of Pretoria Coach, Tlisani Motaung is confident that they will defeat DSTV premiership side, Richard Bay on Saturday to gain promotion.
Motaung says, “We have to learn from Cape Town Spurs, they got in through playoffs as well so we really have to borrow from them. We believe that we can do it, we have to fight, and we have to make sure that we go in and get results in our next match at home.” Baroka has only one game remaining in the playoffs with two points, sitting in the last position of the mini-log.
PERMUTATIONS:
Victory over Richards Bay at home on Saturday would be a big step in the right direction, though it would not complete the job. It would eliminate Baroka FC from the equation, but then leave the Limpopo club to go to Richards Bay on Wednesday with nothing to play for.
A 1-0 win for AmaTuks over Richards Bay would leave them three points ahead with a +1 advantage in terms of goal difference and three goals scored. All their games would be completed. That would leave Richards Bay needing to beat Baroka by more than a one-goal margin, otherwise AmaTuks would finish top on goals scored (three versus two). If Richards Bay win 2-1, then the teams would have an identical record. However, any victory by more than a two-goal margin would see the DStv Premiership club retain their status.
Played / Points / Goal-Difference: 3 / 4 / +0
RICHARDS BAY
It could not be a simpler equation for Richards Bay on Saturday, win and they will have retained their top-flight status. It would leave them three points ahead of the University of Pretoria (who will have completed their four matches) and five points in front of Baroka FC, who they will play in a final fixture next Wednesday, rendering that game a dead-rubber.
A draw and all the equations listed above come into play, while defeat will leave them needing to get a decent win at home next week. They have yet to concede a goal in their two games in the playoffs, but have only scored once themselves. They took only nine points from a possible 45 on the road in the regular season, but a healthier 21 points at home. That form has continued in the Play-Offs with a 1-0 home win over AmaTuks and a 0-0 away draw at Baroka.
Played / Points / Goal-Difference: 2 / 4 / +1
BAROKA FC
The equation is fairly simple for Baroka, they need to hope AmaTuks’ game with Richards Bay on Saturday ends in a draw to have any chance of promotion. If either club win, they are eliminated after taking only two points from a possible nine so far. The Limpopo club need a stalemate and they must defeat Richards Bay in their final clash on Wednesday. How much they would need to win that game by depends on goals scored by the teams. At the moment, AmaTuks have two goals, and Richards Bay and Baroka one each.
If AmaTuks-Richards Bay ends 0-0, and Baroka beat Richards Bay 1-0, then all three teams will be on five points, all with a +0 goal difference, and AmaTuks and Baroka will have two goals scored. If the next tiebreaker is Fair Play, at the moment, all three clubs have five yellow cards and no reds.
If AmaTuks-Richards Bay ends in a draw and Baroka win by two goals next week, they will be promoted.
Played / Points / Goal-Difference: 3 / 2 / -1
