Stellenbosch edge ahead in race for CAF Cup place

Hosts Stellenbosch beat lowly SuperSport United 2-1 while Sekhukhune surrendered an early lead in a 1-1 draw with visiting Kaizer Chiefs.

The results led to a change of places in the standings with one round remaining as Stellenbosch rose to third, one point above Sekhukhune.

Both clubs are away in the final round on May 24 - Stellenbosch go to bottom club Cape Town City and Sekhukhune visit third-last Golden Arrows.

At stake for the club finishing third behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns and runners-up Orlando Pirates is entry into the Confederation Cup, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Because South Africa are third in the African club rankings, they are permitted two entrants and the other place goes to FA Cup winners Chiefs.

Stellenbosch reached the Confederation Cup semi-finals this season before losing to Tanzanian side Simba while Sekhukhune were eliminated by Angolan team Lunda Sul in a qualifier.

Sanele Barns and Devin Titus gave Stellenbosch a two-goal half-time advantage, but an own goal by the latter set up a tense finish.

It was the first SuperSport loss in five games since former South Africa goalkeeper Andre Arendse became caretaker coach, and left the Pretoria outfit ahead of Cape Town only on goal difference.

Sekhukhune rattled Chiefs in Polokwane by taking a fourth-minute lead through a soft Ngoanamello Rammala goal, with goalkeeper Brandon Peterson stationary as the ball passed him.

Mid-season signing Makabi Lilepo from the Democratic Republic of Congo levelled in first-half added time, firing a low shot into the corner after a superb run.

Drawing left Chiefs ninth in a league reduced to 15 clubs after Royal AM were expelled during April for failing to honour league and cup fixtures.

A top-eight finish is significant as it qualifies teams for a lucrative early-season knockout competition carrying a 10 million rand winner-takes-all prize.

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