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Johannesburg - Free State Stars and Chippa United both secured their Premiership status with a 0-0 draw at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.
This was a match with few clear-cut chances as both teams
knew what was on the line. A draw was enough for Serame Letsoaka and Dan
Malesela's sides to survive the drop via goal difference.
In a thrilling final day of the South African top-flight season it was a dire encounter that saw Free State Stars and the attack minded Chippa United survive relegation.
Ea Lla Koto enjoyed the bulk of the scoring chances with midfielders Nhlanhla Vilakazi and Paulus Masehe guilty of not finding the net from set-piece routines that left the visitors exposed.
Forward Thokozani Sekotlong was also guilty on the hour mark of not composing himself after finding a way through on goal towards goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
In the pre-match build up Malesela warned fans that he will impose a defensive set-up, which goes against his usual philosophy. But the decision paid off and proved how tactically versatile the much maligned head coach is.
Nonetheless, at the full-time whistle, Baroka's 1-0 win and Highlands Park's 2-2 draw meant that the home side and the Chilli Boys finished in 14th and 13th spot respectively, safely outside the drop zone on 28 points, albeit only by goal difference as Bakgaga now face the prospect of the relegation play-offs.
