SuperSport United successfully fended off the dreaded PSL relegation and promotion playoffs by securing a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Thursday.

The relief and celebration after the final whistle were palpable, with caretaker coach Andre Arendse visibly emotional and assistant coach Grant Johnson also in tears.

SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews was a relieved man, seen hugging his players as the Tshwane giants finished 14th in the Betway Premiership with 27 points from 28 matches.

This result means that Cape Town City will now be involved in the PSL relegation and promotion playoffs in the coming days.

The match itself was a continuation of a fixture that was abandoned in February due to load shedding at the Pretoria venue, before the second half could commence.

That initial encounter marked former coach Gavin Hunt’s 1000th PSL match, but he was unable to celebrate a victory as the lights went out. Due to a struggle to accumulate consistent results, SuperSport later decided to part ways with Hunt.

Arendse, who was Hunt’s assistant, then stepped into the role of caretaker coach until the end of the season.

Similarly, Arrows, facing their own challenges with results, opted to bring in Manqoba Mngqithi to steer their ship. Unlike Arrows, who had already ensured their safety from the relegation zone after beating Sekhukhune United last weekend, SuperSport were desperate for a positive outcome.

They entered this match sitting in 15th place, the PSL relegation and promotion playoff spot, just one point ahead of City. A draw was precisely what they needed to climb to 14th and send City into the playoffs.

The fixture was not without controversy, as Cape Town City chairman John Comitis had publicly stated on Wednesday that he was consulting his legal team to interdict the game.

He argued it was unfair that SuperSport were playing a postponed match after City had completed all their fixtures. Despite this, Comitis later assured that City would be prepared for the playoffs.