Top Performers and Struggling Teams: PSL Final Weekend Recap
In the concluding matchday of the 2024-2025 South African Premier League, Golden Arrows and Richards Bay emerged as the winners, with Golden Arrows securing their top-flight status for the 11th consecutive season. AmaZulu drew against Orlando Pirates, a result that helped them secure sixth place for the season. Despite a strong first half, Polokwane City and Cape Town City managed to secure their places in the Top 8.
The Losers:- Sekhukhune suffered a 3-2 defeat against Golden Arrows, missing an opportunity to finish higher in the table. The team became the first to receive two red cards in the same game this season.- SuperSport United put up a dismal show, suffering their fourth defeat in a row and failing to secure a top-8 spot, ending their drought-free season since 1999/2000.
Winners:
Golden ArrowsThe victory over Sekhukhune enabled Golden Arrows to avoid complications in the relegation battle and secured their spot in the top-flight once again.
Richards BayRichards Bay's stunning improvement was apparent in their final-day victory, which leaves them on the brink of securing a Top 8 spot. With only five goals conceded in their most recent nine games, the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
AmaZuluUsuthu secured their Top 8 spot with a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates, coming close to surpassing TS Galaxy into fifth place. The sixth position is AmaZulu's best league position since finishing second in 2020/21 under Benni McCarthy.
Orlando PiratesDespite Sundowns setting record after record, Orlando Pirates's point against AmaZulu was significant, helping them reach the 60-point mark. The last time a team had 60+ points without winning the title was 2013/14 (Chiefs 63 in 2nd).
Polokwane CityDespite a wind-down towards the end of the season, Polokwane City managed to secure a Top 8 spot in back-to-back seasons for the first time in their history. After 14 games, the team lay third in the table behind only Sundowns and Pirates.
The competitive nature of the league was on full display in the closing stages, with Cape Town City winning a crucial match to keep their hopes alive for avoiding relegation. The race for survival, meanwhile, is heating up, and teams like SuperSport United and Sekhukhune face an uphill battle in the final weeks.
- Football betting enthusiasts may have been intrigued by the results of the South African Premier League, particularly the unexpected improvement shown by Richards Bay.
- European-leagues enthusiasts might have been interested in the performance of AmaZulu, as they secured a Top 8 spot and were close to surpassing TS Galaxy into fifth place.
- In the European leagues, predictions about the Premier League might have been revised after the impressive run of Richards Bay, who conceded only five goals in their most recent nine games.
- Sports betting followers would have noticed that despite a strong first half, Polokwane City managed to secure their places in the Top 8 for the second consecutive season, a significant achievement in their history.
