Sasman winner sees Swallows retain SA Premiership status

Reading time: minutes

Swallows remained in the South African top flight. AFP

Swallows retain their top flight status in the South African Premiership for next season after defeating University of Pretoria 1-0 in the promotion play-offs.

At the end of the regular season, the bottom team in the top DStv Premiership gets automatically relegated and the top team in the second tier gets automatically promoted. However, the play-offs have a rather unusual format. The second from bottom in the top tier and second and third in the second tier face off in a three team group stage. The three clubs face off home and away and whoever finishes top of the league plays in the top division.

Going into the final game, CT All Stars, who had finished 3rd in the second tier, had four points from their four matches and were out of contention. Swallows of the top flight also had four points while University of Pretoria, 2nd in the second tier, were on five points. That meant Swallows had to win to stay in the top flight whereas University of Pretoria only needed a draw and Swallows were at home.

The first half at the Lucas Moripe Stadium ended goalless after Swallows were denied by several top saves by Mbanjwa in the University of Pretoria goal which even left Swallow's community manager on Twitter frustrated. "Something wrong with this Tuks keeper, he has denied to (sic) clear goals," they wrote.The 0-0 scoreline meant the visitors were 45 minutes away from promotion.

However, just after the hour mark, Yagan Sasman found Swallows the all important goal. The away side were unable to get themselves an equaliser and Swallows held on to win 1-0 and retain their top flight status amid jubilant scenes at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.