Johannesburg – With the title race already decided, the fight for second spot and entry into the Caf Champions league becomes the biggest prize up for grabs in the last few games of the season.
Orlando Pirates occupy third place on the log with 45 points and three games remaining. Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, are second with 48 points but still have four matches left.
The Buccaneers face SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium in one of the key encounters of the six matches on the evening.
Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo believed second spot was still well within his team’s reach heading into the clash with their Pretoria-based opposition.
“We are still within reaching distance of that last Champions League spot,” said Ntshumayelo.
“We just have to make sure that we win all our remaining matches.”
The Soweto outfit, however, will also be duelling with Wits who are also on 45 points but crucially have a game in hand over the much-fancied Pirates.
“We need to focus on our games because we have control over that and avoid focusing on Sundowns and Wits. Hopefully they can drop points and allow us to sneak into number two.”
Caf success will still be on the minds of many of the Pirates players, as the team reached the final of the competition in 2013 under coach Roger de Sa where the South African side went down 3-1 over two legs to Al-Ahly of Egypt.
“We simply have to win all our remaining matches because our prevailing ambition as players and as a club is to play in the Champions League on a regular basis. We believe that we are good enough to compete with the best our continent has to offer,” said Ntshumayelo.
SuperSport, in contrast, were in the middle of a battle for a top eight finish on the log. With four matches left, Matsatsantsa were seventh on the table with 35 points, two ahead of both Maritzburg United and Polokwane City immediately below.
With much to play for in the clash, Ntshumayelo believed Pirates would be the team to come away with all three points.
“Despite all the problems we faced this season we came back and put up a good fight.
“For me that bears testament to the quality, character and spirit that is Orlando Pirates which is why I believe we can get the second spot starting with a victory over SuperSport United on Wednesday night.”
In the other matches on the evening, Sundowns host champions Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Free State Stars host Wits at Goble Park, AmaZulu take on Platinum Stars at Princess Magogo Stadium, Polokwane City welcome Black Aces to Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and Chippa United host Bloemfontein Celtic at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. – ANA