The race for the CAF competition qualification places in the DStv Premiership is heating up as we reach the final straight in the 2021-22 season.
Mamelodi Sundowns have surely tied up top spot and the first CAF Champions League spot, leaving as many as five sides battling to take the second one.
There is also a single CAF Confederation Cup place available for finishing third in the league, with the other spot in that competition coming from the Nedbank Cup final.
SuperSport.com provides the lowdown on who is in the running for a top three finish.
Royal AM
Position: Second
Games Remaining: four
Points: 45
Royal AM at one stage appeared to be charging to second place in the league and qualification for the CAF Champions League, but successive draws have halted that progress a bit and given those around them course for hope.
The latest was a 0-0 stalemate at home to AmaZulu on Sunday, not a bad result it itself, but it does feel like their momentum has been halted a little bit.
They also have the distraction of a Nedbank Cup semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, and must still play both Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league, as well as fellow KwaZulu-Natal rivals Lamontville Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United. It is no easy run-in.
Cape Town City
Position: Third
Games Remaining: six
Points: 40
As things stand City have six games remaining, but that might only be five if they successfully appeal an arbitration award that says they must play their clash against Kaizer Chiefs that was postponed from December.
City believe they should be awarded the points, which would be a massive boost to their chances of finishing second, with the game set down to be played on Saturday. Much can happen between now and then.
They will definitely be in action against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday though in what is about as tough an away clash as you can get in the DStv Premiership. Sundowns have the added incentive that a point will see them crowned champions.
City may well take a draw too, with a difficult run-in that also includes away trips to Chiefs (maybe), Chippa United and provincial rivals Stellenbosch FC, and home games against strugglers TS Galaxy and AmaZulu.
Kaizer Chiefs
Position: Fourth
Games Remaining: six
Points: 39
Three defeats in their last five games has seen Chiefs’ hopes of finishing second diminish, and much might still depend on whether their postponed games against Lamontville Golden Arrows and Cape Town City can add to their points tally.
At the moment we have to assume so, and if they win both of those will draw level with Royal AM in second.
They now have Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard in charge after Stuart Baxter was fired last week, but the duo made a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch on Saturday.
They are a good squad lacking in confidence and if the co-coaching duo can bring back their swagger, they have the armoury to take second place, though they must still face Mamelodi Sundowns before the end of the season.
Orlando Pirates
Position: Fifth
Games Remaining: five
Points: 39
Pirates have played to 12 draws in the DStv Premiership this season, only AmaZulu (15) have had more.
That is the reason why they are not clear in second place, as they have also proven difficult to beat. Only Mamelodi Sundowns (2) have been beaten fewer times than The Buccaneers.
Pirates also have a CAF Confederation Cup semifinal to concentrate on before the end of the campaign – and potentially a final too – which will mean a heavy workload over the next month or so.
They must play Royal AM between now and the end of the season, which gives a chance to make up some ground on them, while SuperSport United will also present a challenge.
Their other three games are all against sides struggling at the foot of the table – Chippa United (home) on Wednesday, TS Galaxy (away) and Maritzburg United (home).
Stellenbosch FC
Position: six
Games Remaining: four
Points: 39
Stellenbosch are still very much in the running for the CAF competition places, but have just four games left to move themselves into position.
It is a very tough run-in too, starting away at SuperSport United, before they take on Maritzburg United (home), Mamelodi Sundowns (away) and Cape Town City (home).
Given that they will probably have to win at least three of those, it makes them outsiders for top three place, but this season will still have been a vast improvement on the last campaign, when they were in the relegation mix until the final few weeks.
They might also look back on what might have been having been involved in 12 draws so far this season.