DStv Premiership: The race for second place

Stellenbosch FC kept up their three-point lead over the rest of the chasing pack for the runners-up berth in the DStv Premiership but had to fight back from a halftime deficit in a tension-filled encounter at TS Galaxy on Sunday.

The result meant they advanced to 43 points, which is 10 behind runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who also have three games in hand and are now close to taking yet another title.

Stellenbosch are three points ahead of third-placed Orlando Pirates in the bid to take second place and the other berth reserved for a South African club in next season’s African Champions League.

We continue our weekly look at the teams currently placed sixth to second in the DStv Premiership.

TS GALAXY

Games played: 22

Points/Goal-Difference: 34 / +8

A second successive home loss came with harsh words for the referee from beaten home coach Sead Ramovic after Galaxy lost to Stellenbosch on Sunday at the Mbombela Stadium. They were up a halftime to go down 2-1, following on last weekend’s Nedbank Cup loss to Chippa United. But with two games in hand on the rest of the teams in the chase, they are still well placed to set a club record finish. Their previous best was ninth in their debut season in 2020/21.

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Games played: 24

Points/Goal-Difference: 35 / +0

SuperSport are on an unprecedented run of nine league matches without a win, retarding their chances of a runners-up berth this season. They went down on Saturday to Chippa United at home and have now lost their last two home games. Since the turn of the year, they have drawn six of their eight DStv Premiership encounters as coach Gavin Hunt has continued to throw youngsters into the fray without too many positive returns.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

Games played: 24

Po