Chiefs’ Champions League hopes fading after Sekhukhune loss

Kaizer Chiefs’ chances of Caf Champions League football next season took another knock when they lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United on Sunday afternoon.

With Mamelodi Sundowns already confirmed as the DStv Premiership winners for the seventh time in a row, Chiefs are now in a fierce battle for second spot with Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United.

The team who finish second joins Sundowns in the Champions League next season, something Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane aspires to do.

But as things stand, the best his team can do now is qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup by finishing third in the league, or winning the Nedbank Cup.

The loss to Sekhukhune at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium means Chiefs remain fourth and trail second placed Pirates by five points.

It now looks unlikely for Chiefs to get second spot with four games left in the league.

Chiefs had a chance in the second minute but Ashley Du Preez hurried his effort and it went wide. Two minutes later, Sekhukhune took the lead.

Elias Mokwana went on a good run on the right and swung a cross in and it found an unmarked Sammy Seabi who easily turned it home.

Chiefs came close to getting the equaliser a few times.

The best chance however came in the 26th minute when a Keagan Dolly cross found Yusuf Maart unmarked inside the Sekhukhune box.

Maart however hurried his his effort, trying a volley with his obviously weaker left foot and ballooned it harmlessly over.

Lucky Chiefs

Chiefs were lucky not to have a penalty given against them in the 29th minute when Dillan Solomons felled Victor Letsoalo inside his own box. At first look, the tackle looked legit but television replays showed he had got the man’s ankle before the ball.

Sekhukhune took the lead into the break. And in the second half they gave a more balanced and braver performance and bossed Chiefs in the early stages.

But Arthur Zwane made some changes, bringing on Mduduzi Shabalala and Caleb Bimenyimana for Cole Alexander and Dolly, and it looked to bring some spark.

They were however not getting it right in the final third, playing right into Sekhukhune’s hands most of the time.

Chiefs fans were left disappointed when their calls for a penalty were ignored in the 78th minute. This was after Samkelo Zwane went down inside the Sekhukhune box.