The Premier Soccer League have reportedly ruled that only the second half of the abandoned February clash between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows will be replayed – a critical 45 minutes that could decide who survives the drop.
With the score locked at 1-1 before load-shedding plunged the venue into darkness, and no back-up power available, the match was called off at halftime.
According to SABC Sport, that one-half reprieve is now set to be completed at a yet-to-be-confirmed date – and both clubs have everything to play for.
When contacted by Independent Media for a comment on the matter, Arrows said that they were yet to be informed of such a decision, and the only information they have has come through the media.
Meanwhile, the PSL and SuperSport could not be reached for comment at the time of publishing.
Christian Saile opened the scoring for SuperSport in the original fixture, before Velemseni Ndwandwe restored parity for Arrows.
What followed was chaos off the pitch, and now both sides will have to pick up where they left off – with new faces on the touchline.
Gavin Hunt was still in charge of Matsatsantsa at the time, but he’s since been dismissed, with Andre Arendse taking over in an interim role.
Similarly, Mabhuti Khenyeza, who led Arrows on the day, has moved to Chippa United, and was replaced by former Sundowns mentor Manqoba Mngqithi.
And the stakes have never been higher.
Arrows currently sit in 13th place on the Premiership table with 27 points – just one ahead of Cape Town City, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
With the league’s tightest relegation scrap in years, even the smallest error could cost dearly.
Arrows still have a match against Sekhukhune United to come this Saturday (3pm start).
A win might be enough to guarantee safety, unless City, who face Stellenbosch FC in the Cape derby, manage to pull off a victory of their own.
SuperSport are in equally hot water. A loss to Orlando Pirates midweek has left them desperate for points.
They must now secure at least four from their remaining two fixtures – against Richards Bay and the 45-minute replay against Arrows – to stay afloat.
The league has yet to confirm when and where the second half will be played, but one thing is certain, it will be no ordinary half of football.
It’s a survival decider, and a scrap for top-flight lives.
In a relegation battle where margins are as thin as a single goal, 45 minutes could be the difference between relief and ruin.
