The top prize in the Absa Premiership may have gone to Gauteng rich boys SuperSport United again, but there can be few complaints about the KwaZulu-Natal clubs as a collective.
The province had four hopefuls in the lucrative top-flight for the first time and, while there were doubts about some of them at different stages of the tight season, there will gladly be two sides from KZN in the MTN 8 knockout competition for the first time next season, Golden Arrows and AmaZulu, plus Maritzburg United happily avoided the relegation axe after three attempts.
Moreover, Arrows striker Richard Henyekane was the top scorer in the Premiership and the province will again have a hefty four teams in the big league next season if Thanda Royals can keep their nerve in the play-offs.
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"Just one goal. That's all we needed today to avoid the play-offs, but I have told the players it's not over for us," said Thanda coach Mlungisi "Professor" Ngubane after seeing his men draw goalless with Maritzburg in the final round in Hammarsdale on Saturday, which resulted in Bloemfontein Celtic finishing just ahead of "Amabhubesi" on goal difference despite them receiving a 5-1 hammering by Free State Stars.
"They must keep their spirits up for the play-offs. I am confident we can make it," added Ngubane.
His side will face FC Cape Town in the semi-finals of the play-offs later in Mat. The other semi-final features Mpumalanga Black Aces and Carara Kicks from Free State.
There will be two legs in the semis and final, with the eventual winners of the tournament earning a place in the Premiership next season alongside newly-promoted Jomo Cosmos.
Maritzburg were still threatened with relegation going into the final round of matches, so they were most delighted to end in 12th place instead of getting chopped for the third successive time.
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