Big race: Orlando Pirates 49 points, Stellenbosch 50 points

Big race: Orlando Pirates 49 points, Stellenbosch 50 points

We know Mamelodi Sundowns are the champions. Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC are close to deciding who will play in the ‘ CAF Champions League with Kabo Yellow next season.

DSTV PREMIERSHIP: ORLANDO PIRATES AND STELLENBOSCH SEPARATED BY A POINT

It will go to the wire. As things stand, Steve Barker‘s Stellenbosch are in the driving seat. The Cape Winelands club are in second place with 50 points. Jose Riveiro‘s team is in third position with 49 points.

This weekend will see Stellies host Sundowns at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. At the same hour, TS Galaxy will be home to Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium.

The battle for CAF Champions League football will conclude next weekend. Orlando Pirates will be home to SuperSport United, while Stellenbosch will travel to KwaZulu Natal to face Richards Bay.

FINAL DAY FIXUTRES

• Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United – Saturday 25 May
• Richards Bay vs Stellenbosch FC – Saturday 25 May.

JOSE RIVEIRO

“We lost one final against Richards Bay [on Saturday] and we have another final on Saturday in Mbombela against TS Galaxy and another one here at Orlando Stadium against SuperSport United,” Riveiro said via Times LIVE.

“We are playing for something really important for the club [the Champions League] and we have to give our all. There are a lot of things we need to improve from our match against Richards Bay but the attitude and the desire to get the three points was there and that’s the most important thing,” the Buccaneers caoch added.

“Now we are going to another final and we are going to do the same in desire and attitude, we know we are playing for something big. We want to be in the Champions League next season, but now Stellenbosch is in that place.

“We want to get there and we know that to do it, all of us have to run the extra mile. This includes the technical team, players and everybody involved. That’s the only way to make it possible,” the Orlando Pirates mentor concluded.

STEVE BARKER

“The loss against Swallows was a blow, but we’ve got to keep at it – and there’s no reason we can’t beat Sundowns on home turf,” said Barker via IOL.

“It is a tough task to beat Sundowns. They’re a good team, but I thought we did enough in the semi-final to get a sense for this match. The key is to get back the energy and the spark and push for two more matches.

“[Orlando] Pirates still have got to do the job, so let’s see how it pans out,” Barker concluded.