SEDIBENG.- Perfect Academy will need a miracle to be crowned the SAFA Sedibeng Hollywoodbets Men’s Regional League champions this season.

Despite securing a dominant 5-0 victory against NWU Vaal FC on Saturday, the team has dropped to fifth on the log, sitting on 66 points after 29 games.

While most teams only have two matches left to complete the 34-game league programme for the 2025/2026 season, Perfect Academy still has four games in hand. However, catching up will be incredibly difficult.

Boipatong FC is currently leading the league with 77 points and just two games remaining, looking like the favourites for the title. Ben 10 FC occupies second place with 75 points from 32 games, followed by Metro Stars FC in third with 71 points from the same number of matches.

The race adds intense pressure for the teams

The race for the top spots adds intense pressure, as the teams finishing first and second will represent Sedibeng in the upcoming Inter-Regional Play-offs, which are scheduled to take place in this region during May and June.

Perfect Academy actually led the standings at the start of the season, but their title hopes were severely dented after the SAFA Sedibeng Disciplinary Committee deducted three points from them. Sedibeng Ster Sport has learned that the committee issued the penalty after finding Perfect Academy guilty of fielding an improperly registered player against NWU Vaal FC, which explains their current drop in the table.

Looking ahead, a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash is scheduled for this Saturday at Vanderbijlpark Hoërskool, where Perfect Academy will face Moponisi United. This is a must-win match for Perfect Academy if they want to close the gap at the top.

Even so, looking at the current standings and the few games left for the leaders, removing Boipatong FC from the top spot remains a massive challenge.