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PSL heading for thrilling conclusion!

For years now, the Absa Premiership has provided a nail-biting finish.

And for quite some time this season it looked as if soccer lovers were going to be robbed of what has become their fix season after season as Mamelodi Sundowns looked to run away with the title.

But alas!

It would seem the soccer gods were looking down and smiling, chuckling 'they don't know what we have in store for them'.

All of a sudden, midweek results have made both ends of the table so, so exciting.

Sundowns who were sitting pretty with a six point gap- between them and closest challengers, Bidvest Wits, has had that cut to just four. This after a goalless draw against Ajax Cape Town (the latter should have won that match given the opportunities they created).

What should be worrying for Sundowns' supporters is the fact that this was the third time in a row their club had failed to register a win, after being bundled out of the CAF Champions League by AS Vita from the DR Congo and then losing 2-0 to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.

This has in turn given the chasing pack an impression that the log-leaders are there for the taking and their tight grip to the title has loosened.

While The Brazilians were being held to a draw, Wits made hay by beating SuperSport United 2-0, away.

This has in turn made this coming weekend's fixtures - in which Wits host Chippa United in a 18:00 kick-off on Saturday while Sundowns host outgoing champions Kaizer Chiefs in a 20:15 kick-off - even more mouth-watering.

But it's not only the top that has become exciting, the bottom is providing its own thrill as clubs fight for survival.

Maritzburg United who have been propping up the league table for long, did themselves a favour by beating Free State Stars 1-0, away nogal.

The win, took them to within a point of their nearest competitors, Jomo Cosmos and University of Pretoria who drew 0-0 with Bloemfontein Celtic and lost 2-1 to Chiefs respectively.

Cosmos' loss and AmaTuks' defeat, left the two sides on 21 points apiece with the university side above courtesy of a better goal difference.

With a mere three matches to go, Polokwane City on 27 points and Celtic on 28, might have just done enough to stay off the relegation zone.

This scenario, makes Sunday's encounter between Cosmos and AmaTuks at the Olen Park Stadium, the most juicy of the weekend. Cosmos would be looking to doing themselves a favour by winning, which would take them at least three points away from the visitors.

However, under former Bafana Bafana marksman, Shaun Bartlett, the Pretoria side has shown some signs of revival and one cannot rule out a shock.

So whoever thought this season would be a walk in the park for Sundowns and that Maritzburg were already condemned to the drop, has another think coming following the midweek results.

Here it is to an exciting finish, once more!

S’Busiso Mseleku is regarded as one of Africa's leading sports journalists and an authority on football. He has received some of the biggest awards in a career spanning well over 20 years. He is currently City Press Sports Editor.

Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
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