Race on for second place

WITH Mamelodi Sundowns having already secured a fifth consecutive league title, the race for second spot in the Premiership is set to intensify this month.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur

Zwane has more or less conceded that his side are out of the running for the place that will earn them qualification into next season’s CAF Champions League, and few would argue with him.

This leaves Royal AM, Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates (although Pirates have played a game more) in the running for that second spot.

Royal AM make the short trip to the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg to play against Maritzburg United in a KwaZuluNatal derby today (kick-off 7.30pm).

While Royal AM will be the favourites based on performance alone, Maritzburg will be hungry to get points as their relegation battle intensifies.

Every point from now on for coach Ernst Middendorp’s side will be vital and they will give it their all to try and frustrate John Maduka’s side.

Cape Town City, meanwhile, travel to the Eastern Cape today to play against Chippa United in another game which will have a big bearing on the race for second spot (kick-off 5pm).

City are currently on a good run of form having not lost any of their last 10 games.

Since the start of 2022, City are unbeaten in the league and have only lost once in all competitions, which was their 2-1 loss against Royal in the Nedbank Cup round of 32.

Should Eric Tinkler’s City side finish second in the league this season, they will become the first side from the Western Cape to qualify for the continent’s premier club competition.

A win for City against Chippa will potentially see them move up to second place if Royal fail to beat Maritzburg.

Unsurprisingly, the controversial Chilli Boys have once again struggled with consistency this season as they have only won one out of their last five games – a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC.

Coach Kurt Lentjies’ side will also be looking for points as they are only just clear of the relegation zone.

A run of defeats for Chippa at this point of the season could see them thrown back into the relegation quagmire.