BIG STEP UP

CAN POLOKWANE CITY BUCK THE TREND OF PROMOTED TEAMS DROPPING OFF IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE NEXT PSL SEASON?

- Mogamad Allie

Polokwane City's 4-0 victory over Pretoria Callies on a dramatic final day of action in the second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship ensured the club's return to the top flight after a three-year absence.

They edged their closest challengers Cape Town Spurs on goal difference and snuck in just a single point ahead of Casric Stars, who finished third on the log.

As is the case for any team promoted to a higher league, the first priority for Rise and Shine, who were relegated in 2020, will be to avoid an immediate return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

The Limpopo-based side, one of only two from the province that will be campaigning in next season's DStv Premiership following the relegation of Marumo Gallants, should draw some comfort from the knowledge that in recent seasons, there have been no immediate drops.

The most recent case was Highlands Park going down in 2017, although they returned immediately, winning promotion after spending just one season in the second tier. The Lions of the North finished in comfortable seventh and ninth in the next two seasons before selling their franchise to TS Galaxy in September 2020.

Before that, Jomo Cosmos had appropriately earned the nickname of 'Yo-Yo team' as they were relegated no fewer than four times, the last being in 2015, which was the third time they dropped down after spending just a single season in the top flight. Ezenkosi were also relegated from the second tier to the amateur ranks in 2022.