Stellies have one hand on the DDC title, is there ANYBODY who can stop them?

Stellenbosch FC holds the destiny of the DStv Diski Challenge title in their hands after weekend results, where they defeated Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lost to Sekhukhune United.

Before those results, Stellies had done themselves a huge favour by beating fellow title contenders, Sundowns that were the log leaders on matchday 24.

SuperSport looks at where each of the contenders stand and how their run-ins compare.

Stellenbosch – 57 points

Stellies are at the top of the log with 57 points, one ahead of second-placed Sundowns. The Maroons, know that 12 points would be enough for them to win the 2023/24 title.

And they will be pushed to their limit in the coming weeks as they aim to win their second DDC title.

Coach Evangelos Vellios's youngsters have proven their ability to be relentless on the title run-in and will expect to win the league now with a kind set of fixtures to come.

Can anybody slow the Stellies juggernaut?

We assess their remaining four hurdles and the prospects of them slipping up.

Sunday 21st April v Cape Town City (home)

Stellies' next assignment comes at Idas Valley against fifth-placed Cape Town City side, who have won four of their last five Diski Challenge matches.

The Citizens have been impressive lately, finally showing they can compete with the best teams in the league, and there’s a huge possibility of them causing upset in the match if history is anything to go about.

In their recent three meetings, City won all the matches. However, Stellies cannot afford any slip-ups. They know what needs to be done in order to join Golden Arrows in the history books. Arrows are the only team that have won the Diski Challenge title twice in its nine years of existance and Stellenbosch are on the verge of achieveing the same feat.

28 April v Kaizer Chiefs (home)

Amakhosi are out of the title race, but they have an enormous say say as to where the title goes. Chiefs still have a date with with both log leaders Stellenbosch and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

With them having lost their last two games (before the Sundowns clash), Stellies can expect a bit of resistance from Chiefs as they want to end the season on a high.

Nonetheless, it is difficult to imagine anything other than three points for Evangelos Vellios’ team in this one. Stellies also have an upper hand against Chiefs as they have defeated them four times in their last six meetings, with the two other encounters going the Chiefs' way.

04 May v Moroka Swallows (away)

Stellies will then travel to Soweto, Dobsonville Stadium for their clash against Moroka Swallows. This could well be the fixture in which they clinch the title, depending on Sundowns' results.

The Dube Birds are among the teams that have been donating points in the Diski Challenge this season.

On paper, this looks like Stellies easy assignment DDC run-in, so they'll hope to be over the finish line by this point. However, the sides who have nothing to lose (not in the title race) have turned out to be very dangerous lately. The likes of Cape Town Spurs and Sekhukhune proved it when they brought down Chiefs (ending their title hopes) and Sundowns (removing them the top of the table) respectively.

11 May v Golden Arrows (home)

If it comes down to it, Stellies will try and clinch the DDC title, and make history at the expense of Golden Arrows on the final day.

In an ideal world, they'll have already wrapped things up to avoid a nervy last weekend of Diski, but they'll start as favourites against mid-table Arrows that has been a shadow of themselves this season.

Arrows are the only team to have won the Diski Challenge twice in 2015/2016 season, and 2017/2018 seasons.

Sundowns will be hosting Swallows on the same day.