The Betway Premiership third place comes down to the final moments!

Image: Stellenbosch fc

As the final matchday of the season approaches, Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United are locked in a fierce battle for third place in the Betway Premiership, with a sought-after spot in the prestigious CAF Confederations Cup at stake.

The team securing third place will automatically qualify for Africa’s second-tier continental competition, while another South African club will earn a spot by winning the Nedbank Cup.

Currently leading the race, Stellenbosch sits in third with 47 points, narrowly edging Sekhukhune by a single point.

Both teams featured in this season’s Confederations Cup after impressive campaigns last year. Stellenbosch clinched third place in the league, while Nedbank Cup winners Orlando Pirates earned a Champions League spot as runners-up in the Premiership. Mamelodi Sundowns, the league champions, had already secured their Champions League place, otherwise they would have competed in the Confederations Cup. This opened up an additional slot, which was awarded to Sekhukhune as the fourth-placed side.

Sekhukhune’s continental run ended early in the second preliminary round, but Stellenbosch made waves in their debut, reaching the semi-finals before suffering a heartbreaking exit at the hands of Tanzania’s Simba SC.

Eager to return to continental competition, Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has emphasized throughout the season that securing a top-three finish remains the team's primary objective. He reaffirmed this after their vital victory over SuperSport United on Saturday.

“Overall, a massive win for us to keep ourselves in contention to achieve what we want to achieve, and that’s to finish in the top three,” said Barker.

Stellenbosch faces a tough challenge in their final match against relegation-threatened Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sekhukhune will be hoping for a Stellenbosch slip-up as they take on Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.

The Betway Premiership’s third-place finisher will join Nedbank Cup winners Kaizer Chiefs in next season’s Confederations Cup.