DStv Premiership: The race for second place

Midweek matches are going to be key as the tightly contested race for second place in the DStv Premiership continues with games now running out before the end of the season at the end of the month.

Both Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates were midweek victors to keep up their tussle for a second-place finish and the pair are back in action on Wednesday, both with home matches.

Stellenbosch remain three points clear of Pirates and therefore in pole position for a berth in next season’s Caf Champions League, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, whose coronation as champions was concluded last Thursday with a rollicking thumping of Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City.

We continue our weekly look at the teams currently placed sixth to second in the DStv Premiership.

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Games played: 26

Points/Goal-Difference: 38 / +0

SuperSport finally snapped a run of 10 league games without victory, stretching back to just before Christmas, when they got a late winner against Royal AM away in Maritzburg last Wednesday. It pushed them back up into sixth place and leaves them only two points behind fourth-placed Sekhukhune United, who they host on Tuesday in Atteridgeville. It is the first of three successive home games for Gavin Hunt’s youthful team, who have Cape Town Spurs, Moroka Swallows and then Orlando Pirates away for their final three fixtures of the season.

TS GALAXY

Games played: 25

Points/Goal-Difference: 38 / +6

Galaxy played twice last week as they attempted to catch up on their league programme but still have a game in hand on most of their rivals. Their 3-0 loss at Mamelodi Sundowns last Monday was again full of post-match vitriol between the rival coaches, although on the field Galaxy were thoroughly outplayed. But they did get a valuable away point on Friday at Sekhukhune United and will be looking to upset shell-shocked Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday night at Soccer City. Galaxy must still play Sundowns again and also take on Pirates.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

Games played: 26

Points/Goal-Difference: 40 / +7

With Sundowns and Pirates to meet in the Nedbank Cup final on 1 June, it is clear that fourth place in the league will offer up a spot for next season’s Caf Confederation Cup. That means Sekhukhune will again participate in the competition where they reached the group stage and picked up invaluable experience, if they hold onto fourth place. They have, however, slipped after their bright start to the year, winning their first five league games of 2024. But they have since won one of six and this week go away to SuperSport United before meeting Polokwane City in a derby game on Saturday.

ORLANDO PIRATES

Games played: 26

Points/Goal-Difference: 46 / +18

Pirates are not yet confirmed for a top-three finish in the league but are assured of a berth in next season’s African Confederation Cup after reaching the Nedbank Cup final. Saturday’s 3-1 semifinal win in Gqeberha over Chippa United stretched their winning streak to six successive games and there is no doubt, as coach Jose Riveiro said last week, that they are in their best form of the campaign. Next up is another clash with Chippa, this time in the league in Soweto on Wednesday, and then a home game on Saturday against struggling Richards Bay.

STELLENBOSCH

Games played: 26

Points/Goal-Difference: 49 / +19

Their 25-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a home defeat by Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semifinal but Stellenbosch are expected to return to winning ways at home to AmaZulu on Wednesday. That is followed by a trip to meet Moroka Swallows in Soweto on Saturday. Last week’s 3-0 thumping of Lamontville Golden Arrows took Stellenbosch to a record points tally, surpassing the 47 points they garnered in the 2021-22 season when they finished in fourth place.