GladAfrica champs will have to wait to lift the trophy

SPORT

Separated by just three points, log leaders Ajax Cape Town and second-placed Swallows FC are in the running for automatic promotion, which, for the first time, also carries a R3 million first-prize purse.

The permutations are clear: anything less than a win for Swallows against Richards Bay will all but hand Ajax automatic promotion, provided the Urban Warriors get a positive result against JDR Stars.

A slip-up for Ajax and a Swallows win would lead to a dramatic end, and goal difference would then come into play on Sunday.

JDR Stars were at one point in the race for the two sought-after play-off berths, but Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila have a chance to consolidate their place in third when they face fellow play-off contenders Uthongathi FC, who are a point adrift of their opponents from Limpopo.

The second- and third-placed sides in the first division will qualify for the play-offs. The two will then meet the team that finishes 15th in the Absa Premiership in a mini league, where the side with the most points will gain promotion.

Meanwhile, one portion of relegation has been decided in the GladAfrica Championship, with Royal Eagles officially demoted.

Also in danger of going down to the ABC Motsepe League are Jomo Cosmos (15th), TS Sporting (14th) and Mbombela United (13th), who are all tied on 29 points.

All this bring together the ingredients for a thiller that is not for the faint-hearted.

READ: Safa still holds out hope for ABC Motsepe League restart

Daniel Mothowagae  Deputy sports editor +27 11 713 9001 Daniel.Mothowagae@citypress.co.za www.citypress.co.za 69 Kingsway Rd, Auckland Park