DStv Premiership: The race for second place

Midweek matches are going to be key as the tightly contested race for second place in the DStv Premiership continues with games now running out before the end of the season at the end of the month.

Both Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates were midweek victors to keep up their tussle for a second-place finish and the pair are back in action on Wednesday, both with home matches.

Stellenbosch remain three points clear of Pirates and therefore in pole position for a berth in next season’s Caf Champions League, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, whose coronation as champions was concluded last Thursday with a rollicking thumping of Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City.

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

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Games played: 26

Points/Goal-Difference: 38 / +0

SuperSport finally snapped a run of 10 league games without victory, stretching back to just before Christmas, when they got a late winner against Royal AM away in Maritzburg last Wednesday. It pushed them back up into sixth place and leaves them only two points behind fourth-placed Sekhukhune United, who they host on Tuesday in Atteridgeville. It is the first of three successive home games for Gavin Hunt’s youthful team, who have Cape Town Spurs, Moroka Swallows and then Orlando Pirates away for their final three fixtures of the season.

TS GALAXY

Games played: 25

Points/Goal-Difference: 38 / +6

Galaxy played twice last week as they attempted to catch up on their league programme but still have a game in hand on most of their rivals. Their 3-0 loss at Mamelodi Sundowns last Monday was again full of post-match vitriol between the rival coaches, although on the field Galaxy were thoroughly outplayed. But they did get a