DStv Premiership: The race for second place

Kaizer Chiefs are in danger of missing out on Caf club competition football for another season as they have seen their challenge for second place and a spot in the Caf Champions League falter.

Third would give them the less desirable prize of a place in the Confederation Cup, but they are four points off that and with a single win in their last five league games (D3 L1), it looks a long way off for now.

With Mamelodi Sundowns head and shoulders above the rest, the title may be gone already, but the Champions League is a very desirable second prize and there are several teams very much in contention to claim it.

We take a look at the teams currently placed sixth to second in the DStv Premiership.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

Games played: 19

Points/Goal-Difference: 30 / +6

Four league wins in a row under coach Lehlohonolo Seema have thrust Sekhukhune into the frame for second place, though whether they can maintain that form to the end of the season will be the big question. They have as many wins this season (9) as all the other contenders, and their next two games are Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City, both at home, which may tell us much about their destiny this campaign.

CAPE TOWN CITY

Games played: 20

Points/Goal-Difference: 31 / +4

It has been a poor start to the year for City, who have two points from 12 and suffered back-to-back defeats to rivals Stellenbosch FC and Royal AM. They have the joint fourth-best defence in the league behind Sundowns, TS Galaxy and Chiefs, and an in-form forward in Khanyisa Mayo, but are struggling to put teams away. The bonus for them is they have seven of their remaining 10 games at home, and not many sides get wins in Cape Town.

STELLENBOSCH FC

Games played: 19

Points/Goal-Difference: 32 / +6

Stellenbosch are having a fantastic season, having already claimed the Carling Knockout crown and to finish second would cement their status as arguably the up-and-coming club in the country, with superb facilities and a steady hand at the wheel in coach Steve Barker. They are now unbeaten in 17 (W11 D6) games in all competitions since a 3-1 loss to Sundowns in September. They only face Chiefs out of their immediate rivals but also have a clash with Sundowns in their penultimate game. Otherwise, the run-in is not too bad.

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Games played: 20

Points/Goal-Difference: 33 / +3

SuperSport are on a run of four straight league draws as they drop points at an alarming rate and lost the game before that so have taken only four points from the last 15 available. They have the players to take second, but there is a frustrating inconsistency to the side that could count against them in the end. They lose games you expect them to win. They must still play Sekhukhune and Pirates, but have a decent run-in.

ORLANDO PIRATES

Games played: 20

Points/Goal-Difference: 33 / +6

Pirates may feel they should be out of sight in second place, but two DStv Premiership wins in their last six games (D2 L2) have halted their progress. That includes a disappointing 1-1 home draw with bottom side Cape Town Spurs but they will hope their recent Soweto Derby win over Chiefs gets them back on track. They traditionally finish seasons strong and will have to do that this time round too. They have games against Cape Town City and SuperSport (on the final day of the season) to come.