Stellenbosch qualify for Africa, Chiefs embarrassed

A 0-0 draw at Cape Town City ensured Stellenbosch of third place and a second straight appearance in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League. They were semi-finalists this season.

Sekhukhune United, who began the final round one point behind Stellenbosch, fell 3-2 at Golden Arrows and finished with nine men after Mokete Mogaila and Ngoanamella Rammala were red-carded.

It was just the second time this season that Arrows scored three times, and the Durban outfit ended a seven-match winless run in the richest African national league. The match took a decisive turn in the second half when Nhlanhla Zwane and Sbonelo Cele scored within 10 minutes to give Arrows a 3-1 lead.

Winners of a record 53 domestic trophies, Chiefs were held 0-0 in Johannesburg by Polokwane City and finished ninth, missing out on a top-half finish for the second successive season.

A top-eight position in South Africa is significant as it secures a place in a lucrative early-season knockout competition offering a winners-take-all 10 million rand ($560,000) prize. 

Chiefs ended a trophy drought since 2015 when they lifted the FA Cup by beating their greatest rivals, Orlando Pirates, in the final this month.

But the future of Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi after one season is charge is reportedly uncertain, given a poor league record of just eight victories in 28 matches.

"I regret missing out on the Top 8 competition, but we did win a trophy for the first time in 10 seasons," said Nabi, who joined Chiefs from Moroccan club FAR Rabat.

"This has been a transitional season for Chiefs, and we must build on our strengths and fix our weaknesses. It is obvious that we need forwards who can score regularly."

The expulsion of Royal AM for failing to honour league and cup fixtures means no Premiership club will be automatically relegated. But the team finishing 15th must face the sides finishing second and third in the second division in a double-round mini-league for one Premiership slot.

SuperSport United prop up the table, one point below Cape Town, but league officials have not adjudicated on their match against Arrows, which was abandoned at half-time three months ago.

A blackout at the SuperSport stadium in Pretoria led to the match being halted with the clubs drawing 1-1, and the hosts lacked a generator to provide back-up power.