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The battle for a lucrative MTN8 place

football11 May 2022 09:31| © Mzansi Football
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Marumo Gallants © Gallo Images

The beauty of the DStv Premiership is that clubs are generally always fighting for something, be it the league title, CAF club competition places, relegation or a place in next season’s lucrative MTN8.

With R8-million on offer for the winners of the top eight competition, it is a quick way to make some good cash with the victories only playing four games.

So that means there is always a scramble to qualify for the competition and this season will be o different.

Four clubs have already booked their spots in the next campaign – champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town City, Royal AM and Kaizer Chiefs.

But a further seven sides still have work to do if they are to book the remaining four places. SuperSport.com looks at the contenders.

Stellenbosch FC

Position: fifth
Games Remaining: two
Points: 41

Realistically, Stellies need just one more point from their two remaining games to book a first ever top eight place, though both matches are incredibly difficult. Steve Barker’s side must travel to Sundowns on Saturday and then face second-placed Cape Town City at home in their final fixture.

Orlando Pirates

Position: sixth
Games Remaining: three
Points: 40

The top eight would be the absolute bear minimum that Pirates would expect this season, but they are not there yet. They need one more win from their final three games, but also have the distraction of the CAF Confederation Cup. They must travel to Royal AM and SuperSport United, and have a home game with battling Maritzburg United.

AmaZulu

Position: seventh
Games Remaining: two
Points: 40

Like Pirates, one more win will do it for Usuthu ad they will expect to get it after an upturn in fortunes under new coach Brandon Truter. They must travel to Cape Town City but then face a potential top eight decider against KwaZulu-Natal rivals Lamontville Golden Arrows on the final day.

SuperSport United

Position: eighth
Games Remaining: two

Points: 37

Four draws in their last five games means SuperSport have rather stuttered towards the finish line, and they still have work to do to avoid a failure to reach the top eight for the first time in their history. They travel to bottom side Baroka FC on Saturday before a home clash with Pirates in their final match.

Lamontville Golden Arrows

Position: ninth
Games Remaining: two
Points: 36

Golden Arrows have one win from their last six (D2 L3), which has put their top eight place in peril. They finish the season with two KwaZulu-Natal Derbies against Royal AM and AmaZulu, both very tricky encounters. They will likely have to win both.

Sekhukhune United

Position: tenth
Games Remaining: two
Points: 32

Sekhukhune are still in with a mathematical chance of making the top eight in their maiden season in the top flight, but need to win both their final games and hope there are an extraordinary set of result that go their way. They are home to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday before a trip to Marumo Gallants to finish the season. Marumo Gallants

Position: eleventh
Games Remaining: two
Points: 32

Gallants are in the same boat as Sekhukhune, though worse off because of their -6 goal-difference, which could be a factor. They will believe they have two winnable games, away at TS Galaxy on Saturday and home to Sekhukhune, but would still need all the clubs above them to falter.

 

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