Swallows have saved their DStv Premiership status.
The Birds, who finished second-from-bottom in the 2021-22 Premiership, won the promotion-relegation playoffs with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over University of Pretoria (Tuks) at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
After four promotional playoff matches, Swallows finished top of the standings with seven points from two wins, a draw and a loss to ensure they will play in the top-flight next season.
It was heartbreak for Tuks as they lost a game where a draw would have sufficed to see them return to the paid ranks after they were relegated after the 2015-2016 season.
To make things worse, Tuks narrowly finished second in the GladAfrica Championship last season for a title decided on the final day, behind Richards Bay who earned automatic promotion to the PSL.
Relegation for Swallows would have seen them swiftly return to the GladAfrica, also known as the National First Division (NFD), after only two seasons in the PSL and would have been a huge blow for the brand.
There were no major incidents in the first half with Swallows, hosting this match away from Johannesburg due to the unavailability of Dobsonville Stadium, the better side.
The Birds created most of their chances through attackers Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Mwape Musonda and Monnapule Saleng but could not find their way past Tuks goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.
Most of AmaTuks’ attacks came from Womderboy Makhubu and Luvuyo Phewa, who was a surprise starter after he was used mostly as an impact player during the season.
Swallows scored the only goal of the match after 64 minutes from the close-range effort of defender Yagan Sasman after he took advantage of some sloppy defending in the Tuks danger area.
In the closing stages, Tuks tried hard to find the equaliser that could have elevated them to the PSL but it was not to be as they have to spend another campaign in the NFD.
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Swallows beat Tuks to save Premiership status
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Swallows have saved their DStv Premiership status.
The Birds, who finished second-from-bottom in the 2021-22 Premiership, won the promotion-relegation playoffs with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over University of Pretoria (Tuks) at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
After four promotional playoff matches, Swallows finished top of the standings with seven points from two wins, a draw and a loss to ensure they will play in the top-flight next season.
It was heartbreak for Tuks as they lost a game where a draw would have sufficed to see them return to the paid ranks after they were relegated after the 2015-2016 season.
To make things worse, Tuks narrowly finished second in the GladAfrica Championship last season for a title decided on the final day, behind Richards Bay who earned automatic promotion to the PSL.
Relegation for Swallows would have seen them swiftly return to the GladAfrica, also known as the National First Division (NFD), after only two seasons in the PSL and would have been a huge blow for the brand.
The Birds created most of their chances through attackers Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Mwape Musonda and Monnapule Saleng but could not find their way past Tuks goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.
Most of AmaTuks’ attacks came from Womderboy Makhubu and Luvuyo Phewa, who was a surprise starter after he was used mostly as an impact player during the season.
Swallows scored the only goal of the match after 64 minutes from the close-range effort of defender Yagan Sasman after he took advantage of some sloppy defending in the Tuks danger area.
In the closing stages, Tuks tried hard to find the equaliser that could have elevated them to the PSL but it was not to be as they have to spend another campaign in the NFD.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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