While Jwaneng Young Stars were already confirmed as the champions prior to the past weekend’s action, there was a fierce battle for survival at the bottom. Extension Gunners, Notwane, Desert Nxau, Mogoditshane Fighters and Black Forest all went into Saturday’s fixtures unsure of their First Division status.
By the end of the day, Fighters and Forest lost their statuses in the league. They both join the Division One leagues. Fighters, who were at one point the most feared side in the Premier League under the tutelage of the late David Bright, now find themselves in an unfamiliar territory.
As such, they desperately needed a win in their last match against City Polar on Saturday but failed to use home ground advantage and suffered a 2-1 defeat. The loss saw them drop to position 11 on the log after Desert Nxau who were in the same spot prior to the weekend matches, registered a draw against Gunners and moved a notch up.
They finished the season with the same number of points (22) as Fighters but have a superior goal difference. Black Forest who also desperately needed victory on the last day, suffered a 3-0 loss to Notwane at home, a result that confirmed their fate. Both Fighters and Forest have been struggling the entire season, each winning only five games out of 22. Forest finished the season at the bottom with the worst goal difference (-21).
Meanwhile, Santos are heading for the promotional play-off after finishing second on the log. They lost 1-0 to Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the last match played on Saturday but the result had no bearing on their position. They will face Motlakase Power Dynamos in a two-legged play-off. Motlakase finished second in the Debswana First Division North league.
*Santos head to Play-off
