Battles intensify as four clubs battle for top eight and relegation safety in Betway Premiership

The 2024/2025 campaign is headed for its decisive conclusion as all 16 Betway Premiership outfits make a final assessment and reset the most realistic goals for the final stretch. 

The final international break has handed all clubs one final moment to grasp the reality of their current situations with a lot of movement and drama expected in the last dash.

The bottom half of the table is arguably as close as it’s ever been at this stage of the season with several clubs still in danger of relegation while others search for their route to make the top eight. 

Football writer Smiso Msomi takes a look at the four clubs not only hoping to qualify for next season’s MTN8 but also looking over their shoulders to avoid the drop.

12 - Magesi FC 

P- 23 W- 5 D-6 L-12 PTS: 23 

Having struggled for a huge chunk of their debut campaign, Dikwena Tsa Meetsea have found a new lease of life in the business end of the season propelling them to 12th on the standings. 

Magesi spent most of the season at the basement of the table but are now two points above the relegation zone having won three of their last four games. 

The current Carling Cup Knockout Cup champions are by no means out of danger and in fact could fall back into the playoffs spot if results don’t go their way in their first match back.

Under the guidance of the experienced Owen Da Gama, they’ve shown signs of resolve within their ranks, with their home form key to their turnaround, a trend they’ll want to protect. 

Remaining fixtures: Stellenbosch (h) TS Galaxy (h) Orlando Pirates (a) Sekhukhune (h) Mamelodi Sundowns (a) Marumo Gallants (h)

11- Richards Bay FC

P - 23  W-6  D-6  L-10  PTS: 24 

The Natal Rich Boys boosted their chances of survival with victory against Kaizer Chiefs recently as they moved to 11th place on the log table with three points ahead of 15th placed SuperSport United. 

They are also five points away from the top eight with eight matches remaining, leaving their fate in their own hands.

The KwaZulu Natal based club have only one of their last eight league matches, winning four and drawing the other three and seem headed in the right direction. 

Having survived via the playoffs last season, the club are eager to avoid a repeat and secure a fourth top flight season. 

Remaining fixtures: Polokwane City(a) AmaZulu(a) Cape Town City (h) Mamelodi Sundowns (a) TS Galaxy (a) Golden Arrows (h) Supersport United(a) 

10 - Golden Arrows 

P: 19 W:6 D:6 L:7 PTS: 24 

The return of coach Manqoba Mngqithi may have arrived at just the right time for Abafana Besthende with plenty of opportunity to make this season a success. 

The Durban-based side have played fewer games than every club around them and if they could turn those games into points they could sit comfortably inside the top eight. 

Even though the club sits three points above the relegation zone, qualifying for the MTN8 seems the more realistic outcome at this stage. 

Arrows have collected four points in three games under Mngqithi and will be eager to get back to winning ways when the international break ends. 

Remaining fixtures: Kaizer Chiefs(h) Chippa United (h) Marumo Gallants(a) AmaZulu(h) Stellenbosch(a) Richards Bay(a) Sekhukhune(h) 

9 - Chippa United 

P: 20 W:7 D:4 L:9 PTS: 25 

The Chilli Boys have surprisingly cut a steady figure this season and their positioning in mid table justifies that notion. 

Having survived the drop in the final three games last season, Chippa are just five points of the 30 points mark that has almost guaranteed safety in recent seasons. 

With ten games left of their season, the Gqebera based side are expected to make a push for a top eight finish rather than worry about relegation. 

Chippa have only finished in the top eight once in their ten-year history in the top flight. 

Remaining fixtures: AmaZulu(h) Golden Arrows (a) Kaizer Chiefs(h) Stellenbosch(a) SuperSport United(a) Marumo Gallants(a) Chippa United(h)