SuperSport dodge relegation play-offs after 96-day match

The Pretoria club needed one point to finish second last and condemn Cape Town City to a double-round mini-league with two second division clubs for one Premiership slot next season.

Cape Town finished the 28-round championship level on 27 points with SuperSport, but had a worse goal difference.

SuperSport and Arrows were drawing 1-1 at half-time on February 23 when a power blackout prevented further play at a stadium near Pretoria.

After a lengthy delay, league officials this week ordered the match to continue from the start of the second half at the same venue.

Ultra cautious SuperSport were more intent on avoiding defeat than winning, and survived a late scare to secure the point they needed.

As the end of regular time approached, Arrows substitute Nqobeko Dlamini got in front of defenders after a free-kick, but his header was off target.

"That was the longest 45 minutes of my life," said SuperSport caretaker coach and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations-winning goalkeeper Andre Arendse.

"The  pressure was enormous, but we have got over the line. Thanks to the players, and the former stars who turned up to support us."

Battling at the bottom of the table in the richest African national league is unfamiliar territory for SuperSport, who are bankrolled by a pan-African TV sport channel of the same name.

They won three consecutive Premiership titles from 2008 and were runners-up to TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup.

"We have a proud history, supplying many players to the national squad," recalled Arendse, who helped South Africa defeat Tunisia to win the Cup of Nations in Johannesburg.

"But the team have struggled lately. That little bit of luck you need to succeed in football deserted us."

Which clubs Cape Town will face is unknown as the recently concluded second division league has been hit by protests related to the eligibility of a player from champions Durban City.

ALSO READ