Race to Qualify for CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup in DSTV Premiership Becomes More Interesting

• The race for a place in African competitions in the DStv Premiership remains as tight as ever on the final stretch
• With just three rounds of matches remaining, four teams are in with the chance of either finishing in a CAF Champions League or Confederations Cup position
• With champions Mamelodi Sundowns taking up one spot in the continent's primary club competition, one remains in the Champions League as well as the Confederation Cup

Royal AM's loss to Maritzburg United and Cape Town City's draw with Chippa United last night in the DStv Premiership has spiced up the race into Africa.

With champions Mamelodi Sundowns guaranteed Champions League football, the runner-up will fill in South Africa's other place in the competition. The third-place finisher will participate in the Confederations Cup.

Royal remained in second place on 45 points. If the team holds its nerve and remains in that position then it will qualify for next season's Champions League. It will be an awkward run-in for Thwihli Thwahla, taking on Golden Arrows, Champions League-bound league winners Mamelodi Sundowns and outsiders Orlando Pirates.

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Football

Had third-placed City - also on 45 points - defeated United, they would have leaped into second place. As it is, the Cityzens have to get past TS Galaxy, Amazulu and Stellenbosch, needing to either get more points than Royal or improve their goal difference dramatically if the two teams' results match.

Kaizer Chiefs snapped a costly four-match losing streak after defeating Marumo Gallants 1-0 on Tuesday. This put the Amakhosi in fourth position on 42 points, having to take on Sundowns, Sekhukhune United and Swallows FC, which is facing relegation, in a tough finish.

Orlando Pirates has skidded in recent matches. The Buccaneers are outsiders either way in fifth place with 40 points. The team can't qualify for the Champions League even if it wins the Confederations Cup, though victory in this competition would see another Mzansi team being entered into next season's tournament.

Royal AM misses the chance to solidify second place in DStv Premiership in loss to Maritzburg United

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Football

A 22nd-minute goal by Friday Samu was the difference as Maritzburg United defeated Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

As reported by Sports Brief, the win lifted the People's Team further away from the relegation battle, putting them in 12th place on 27 points.

Thwihli Thwahla, meanwhile, missed the chance to make second place truly their own. Read more: