Photo finish on the cards as race for promotion intensifies
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday April 23, 2025 06:00


The First Division South league has not been without the battle and the thrill this season with five rounds of matches to play before the season ends. Police XI are leading the pack. The Jungle Kings, who started slowly when the season kicked off, picked up before it was too late and are now favourites to make a quick return to the Premier League. They are currently sitting at the top of league table with 33 points from 17 matches. Led by Mandivenga Paradzayi, Police XI lost only two matches so far and have the highest scoring rate in the league. They are currently facing a fierce battle from Jwaneng Young Stars, Magosi FC and possibly Taung Young Strikers for the league title.
With 15 points up for grabs in the remaining games, the Jungle Kings still have to face City Polar, Young Strikers, UB Hawks, Notwane and Holy Ghost. Young Stars are sitting at position two and breathing heavily on Police XI’s neck with only a point separating the two sides. The Jwaneng-based side won the league title last season but opted to sell their status to Extension Gunners citing financial challenges as their reason. The decision seems not to have damped the players’ spirits as they remain among the favourites once again this season. Out of 17 games, they have lost just three games and have the second highest goal difference.
In their quest to win the title, Young Stars will have to deal with Sand Diamonds away before they host City Polar and Tlokweng United. They will then take on Prisons XI away and wrap up the season against Desert Nxau away. Magosi FC, who silently joined the title race, are sitting at position three with 30 points, three behind log leaders. The team, now based in Ramotswa, had been on a roll in the second round. On their way, they will face Young Strikers, UB Hawks, Notwane, Holy Ghost and Sand Diamonds. Meanwhile, the battle for survival also appears interesting with Desert Nxau still languishing at the bottom. Sand Diamonds on the other hand sit on position 11 while UB Hawks, Prisions XI and City Polar are also not off the hook yet.
Top 3 remaining fixtures
1. Police Xl Points: 33
*Week 18: City Polar (away) *Week 19: Taung Young Strikers (home) *Week 20: UB Hawks (away) *Week 21: Notwane (home) *Week 22: Holy Ghost (away) 2. Jwaneng Young Stars Points: 32
*Week 18: Sand Diamonds (away) *Week 19:City Polar ( home) *Week 20: Tlokweng United (home) *Week 21:Prisons Xl (away) *Week 22: Desert Nxau (home)
3. Magosi FC Points: 30
*Week 18: Taung Young Strikers (away) *Week 19: UB Hawks (home) *Week 20: Notwane (away) *Week 21: Holy Ghost (home) *Week 22: Sand Diamonds (away)