The tension and excitement in the GladAfrica Championship is at its ceiling point as the quest for promotion increases.
Royal AM edged TS Sporting 2-1, JDR Stars secured a morale-boosting 2-1 win at Richards Bay FC, while Sekhukhune United and Free State Stars recorded 1-0 wins over Cape United and Uthongathi FC respectively.
In addition, Jomo Cosmos lost out in the promotion race after they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to the University of Pretoria and Pretoria Callies confirmed their status for another season after a similar score-line win over Cape Town Spurs.
The game between Royal and Abantu Bemthetho started with all the fireworks as both sides had a goal each in the opening half through Kabelo Mahlasela and Quentin Debouto, respectively.
However, the KZN took the game to their opponents in the final quarter of the game as Sporting’s Sbonelo Ngubane was red carded and a team mate turned the ball into his own goalkeeper, as the hosts to ran out winners in dramatic fashion.
Polokwane City beat already-relegated Bizana Pondo Chiefs 2-0, while Cape Town All Stars and Steenberg United could not find a way past each other as the encounter finished in a goalless draw.
The Hammer Boys got their noses in front when Elias Monene opened scoring just 120 seconds into the encounter. Temptation Chiwunga was on hand to put the result beyond any doubt by converting a penalty.
The Spirited Ones could not give a spirited performance as they lost to Sonwabile Mfecane’s penalty, while Mpho Khabane’s 5th goal of the season gave Ea Lla Koto some signs of hope against the Cane Cutters.
With the latest set of results this weekend, the top seven teams are still mathematically in the promotion conversation with just two rounds of matches to go. Richards bay still remain well in the title conversations but two consecutive defeats has now seen Real Kings overtake them in the process.
It remains a well-open title race as only a mere six points separates the top six sides, meaning we can expect some late shocks before the current campaign is concluded.