DStv Premiership: The race for second place

The nerves have evidently got the better of both Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch as they chase down second place in the DStv Premiership season and seek to settle who joins already crowned champions Mamelodi Sundowns in next season’s African Champions League.

Both stumbled again on the penultimate match day of the season on Saturday, suffering defeat for a second successive game.

Stellenbosch remained a single point clear of Pirates and have it in their own hands to secure a club record second place by beating Richards Bay away next Saturday.

Pirates finish their campaign at home against SuperSport United, who are chasing a top four finish, in a tricky end of league campaign match-up

This is the final instalment of our weekly look at the teams currently placed sixth to second in the DStv Premiership.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

Games played: 29

Points/Goal-Difference: 42 / +6

The wheels look to have come off at Babina Noko after coach Lehlohonolo Seema was suspended in the week following an alleged bust up with the club’s chief executive officer Jonas Malatji. It came as the management was reviewing a run of poor form which was extended to five games without a win when they lost 1-0 at home to AmaZulu on Saturday. It means Sekhukhune have dropped down two places to sixth and lost the advantage they held in the race for fourth place and a berth in next season’s African Confederation Cup, which would have been a return to the competition where they reached the group stage this season. They have drawn their three and lost two of their past five matches. MacDonald Makhubedu was in charge against AmaZulu and will take the team for their last game of the season, away against Chippa United in East London on May 25.

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Games played: 29

Points/Goal-Difference: 43 / +2

A 2-0 home win over Moroka Swallows extended SuperSport’s turn in form to four matches without defeat, made up of two victories and two draws. They moved up one position after Saturday’s win over the Birds, where 20-year-old defender Bilal Baloyi and the evergreen Bradley Grobler got the goals. Gavin Hunt’s side had gone 10 league games without a victory before beating against Royal AM away on May 1 and have not lost in the three games since, despite using a host of young players. SuperSport, who were third with 51 points last season, conclude their campaign away to Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

TS GALAXY

Games played: 28

Points/Goal-Difference: 43 / +7

Galaxy should be competing in African club competition next season after they beat Pirates 1-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday to move up to fourth in the standings. They also have an extra game to complete on Tuesday when they host Mamelodi Sundowns in what is a penultimate game of the season for both and if they end the champions’ unbeaten run, Galaxy will have secured fourth spot and a club high finish. Already they have considerably more points than they did in their first season in the DStv Premiership when they finished ninth – their previous best performance – and amassed 35 points. Their season will end away at Polokwane City on Saturday

ORLANDO PIRATES

Games played: 29

Points/Goal-Difference: 49 / +18

Pirates had their seven-match winning streak brought to a shock halt by lowly Richards Bay last weekend and compounded their woes with a 1-0 loss at TS Galaxy this past Saturday. The successive defeats suggest their players’ focus have been more on the upcoming Nedbank Cup final than the possibility of competing in next season’s African Champions League. They still trail Stellenbosch and now need Richards Bay, when they host Stellenbosch, to do them a favour if they are to finish runners-up for a second successive season. Pirates conclude their league campaign with a home game against SuperSport United on Saturday before the June 1 final.

STELLENBOSCH

Games played: 29

Points/Goal-Difference: 50 / +16

After 25 matches without a loss, Stellenbosch have now gone four games without success after suffering a 1-0 home loss to champions Sundowns at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday. Sundowns had ended Stellenbosch’s run in the Nedbank Cup semifinal on May 5 and they have since been held to a home draw by AmaZulu while lost away at Swallows last weekend.

Iqraam Rayners had his penalty saved by Ronwen Williams in the first half before Lesiba Nku scored Sundowns’ winner. Stellenbosch now travel to Richards Bay for their last match on May 25 where a win will see them second.