PSL wrap: Royal AM secure survival, Polokwane clinch final top-eight spot

Polokwane City secure top eight finish

Polokwane City clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Saturday, propelling them past Kaizer Chiefs into eighth place on the final day of the season.

The decisive moment came just before the 30-minute mark when Oswin Appollis found space in the box, received a precise pass from Cole Alexander, and slotted home the only goal of the match.

Galaxy pushed hard for an equalizer, with Sibusiso Tshabalala narrowly missing a header and Radebe failing to convert a cross from Lehlohonolo Mojela.

Polokwane City nearly doubled their lead in the final quarter through another effort from Appollis, but it wasn't to be.

Despite TS Galaxy's late pressure and momentum, they couldn't break through, allowing Polokwane City to secure a vital win and a coveted top-eight finish.

Royal AM triumph over 10-man Moroka Swallows to secure survival

In an intense DStv Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium, Royal AM secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against a resilient Moroka Swallows side, who played most of the game with ten men.

The victory means Royal AM are safe for another season of top-flight football, as they will not have to contest the promotion/relegation play-offs.

The match kicked off with high energy and both teams eager to assert dominance. Royal AM struck first, opening the scoring in the 13th minute. A precise pass from Sedwyn George found Levy Mashiane, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, putting the visitors ahead.

However, Swallows responded swiftly. In the 22nd minute, Lindokuhle Mtshali showcased his capabilities by levelling the score at 1-1. The equalizer rejuvenated the home team and their supporters.

The game took a decisive turn in the 35th minute when Swallows' hero-turned-villain, Mtshali, received a red card for a reckless foul on Khulekani Shezi. This moment of indiscretion left Moroka Swallows with ten men and shifted the momentum decidedly in Royal AM's favour.

The numerical disadvantage eventually took its toll. In the 56th minute, Royal AM capitalized on their advantage. Sabelo Sithole fired a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner. The goal, assisted by Mashiane, marked Sithole’s first of the match and proved to be the decisive strike.

The final whistle confirmed Royal AM's 2-1 victory. This win elevates them to 13th place in the league standings with 33 points, while Moroka Swallows sit just a point below at 14th with 32 points.

Richards Bay set for relegation battle despite Stellenbosch win

Richards Bay will have to get fight through a promotion/relegation play-off battle after a 2-1 win over high-flying Stellenbosch wasn't enough to secure their safety.

Vusumuzi Vilakazi's side still had an outside chance of guaranteeing their place in the top-flight on the final day of the season, but to do that they would have needed to beat Stellenbosch at the King Zwelithini Stadium and hope that Royal AM slip up badly in their final match.

While they impressively managed to achieve their first aim, the second was not up to them, with Royal AM ultimately dispatching Swallows 2-1 to deny their KZN rivals a chance at certain safety.

Stellenbosch, meanwhile, had a chance to secure CAF Champions League football next season with a second-place finish but it wasn't to be, as they were forced to settle for third place.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Ntsako Makhubela gave Richards Bay the lead as early as the sixth minute, with Yanela Mbuthuma doubling their advantage just over 10 minutes later to leave Stellies shell-shocked.

Iqraam Rayners did pull one back for Stellenbosh just before the hour-mark, but they could not find another way past Richards Bay, who will head into their play-off battle feeling confident about their chances of survival after a strong finish to the season that included three wins and a draw in their last five matches.

Arrows finish season on a high but miss out on top eight

Golden Arrows signed off with an impressive 3-1 win over AmaZulu in their final match of the season, but it wasn't quite enough to secure top-eight football.

Abafana Bes'thende were in with a shout but were ultimately denied by other results despite finishing their campaign in style. AmaZulu also had a chance to secure a top-eight spot but it wasn't to be as Arrows ran out deserved winners.

Ryan Moon gave them the lead in the 37th minute after heading home a well-placed corner kick from Knox Mutizwa, with Siyanda Mthanti doubling their advantage shortly after the break.

Olwethu Ncube all but made sure of the win with Arrows' third goal 20 minutes from time following a well-worked team move, meaning Augustine Kwem's 81st-minute strike for AmaZulu was little more than a late consolation.

Nevertheless, both teams ultimately missed out on a top-eight finish, with Arrows ending in ninth place and AmaZulu in 11th.

Sekhukhune end league campaign on a high

Sekhukhune United ended good league campaign with a 1-0 away victory against Chippa at the Buffalo City Stadium.

The only goal of the game came just after the hour mark when left-back Asekho Tiwani found the back of the net.

The Chilli Boys tried hard in the dying stages to give their home fans something to smile about but they couldn't beat visiting goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare.

Sekhukhune end the season in a creditable fourth place which guarantees them continental football for the next year.

Chippa the campaign in 12 position with the owner making sure to let everyone know that he is not happy and have to improve ahead of next season.

READ MORE: Relegated Cape Town Spurs deny Kaizer Chiefs a top-eight spot