Black Leopards & Baroka FC: Double relegation rocks Limpopo, Magesi FC still in danger

The professional football era in Limpopo has suffered a crushing blow, with Black Leopards and Baroka FC officially relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the amateur ABC Motsepe League. The province, once a proud contributor to South Africa’s professional game, now faces a diminished presence across the divisions.

For Baroka FC, the drop was confirmed on 26 April 2026 after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Kruger United, which mathematically sealed their fate. Despite flashes of resilience, Bakgaga ba Mphahlele could not muster the consistency needed to survive.

The heartbreak for Black Leopards followed on Sunday, 10 May 2026. Despite a spirited 2-1 victory over Venda FC, results elsewhere left them four points adrift of safety, condemning Lidoda Duvha to relegation. Their late fightback proved too little, too late, ending their professional status.

Meanwhile, in the Betway Premiership, Limpopo had three representatives this season: Magesi FC, Polokwane City FC, and Sekhukhune United. Of the trio, Magesi FC find themselves bottom of the log and staring at relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. With three games left to play, their fate is not yet sealed, but survival will require a dramatic turnaround.

This situation underscores the fragility of Limpopo’s professional football presence. With Leopards and Baroka gone, and Magesi battling to avoid the drop, only Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United currently stand as the province’s flagbearers in the Premiership. The collapse of two historic clubs and the struggles of another highlight the challenges of sustaining competitiveness in South Africa’s top tiers.

For Limpopo fans, the reality is sobering. The province’s once-proud football identity has been shaken, but supporters will cling to hope that their clubs can rebuild, fight back, and restore Limpopo’s place in the professional game. The coming weeks will determine whether Magesi can avoid joining Leopards and Baroka in the relegation story.