02.05.2015 23:25 h

Famed Durban club AmaZulu facing relegation

AmaZulu, a Durban football club whose 80th birthday celebrations included a match against Manchester United, were staring relegation from the South African Premiership Saturday.

They slumped 3-1 at home to SuperSport United after conceding two goals within 60 seconds and are three points adrift at the bottom of the table with just two rounds left.

"There is still hope," insisted coach Steve Barker after the unexpected home defeat against opponents who conceded four goals in a midweek mauling from Orlando Pirates.

"We have six points to play for and must fight to take them all," said the third coach this season of the 83-year-old club.

But even two victories would not save AmaZulu if second-last Moroka Swallows collect four points from two games next week and third-from-bottom Chippa United pick up two points.

The bottom club are relegated and the second-last side go into a double-round mini-league with two second division teams for one 2016 Premiership place.

New Zealand-born SuperSport striker Jeremy Brockie was the destroyer-in-chief of AmaZulu, scoring on 79 minutes before setting up Thuso Phala for the third goal.

Daine Klate put United ahead in the opening half and Togolese Sadate Ouro-Akoriko levelled midway through the second half at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It was a far cry for AmaZulu from three years ago at the same ground when they entertained Manchester United and were beaten by a solitary goal.

Free State Stars continued a climb away from the danger zone by defeating Chippa 2-0 in central town Bethlehem through goals from Togolese Camaldine Abraw and Moeketsi Sekola.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the unfashionable club coached by former Malawi superstar Kinnah Phiri and they have gone from relegation candidates to potential top-half finishers.

Wits' hopes of a top-three finish and CAF football next year dimmed as they had to come from behind twice in Johannesburg to draw 2-2 with visiting Mpumalanga Black Aces.