A goal by Ashley du Preez was enough to put Kaizer Chiefs back into contention for a Caf Champions League place following their 1-0 victory over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Thursday.

In the 72nd minute, the forward scored from outside the box in front of 30,000 people on holiday in the coastal city of Gqeberha. The shot went over Namibian custodian Lloyd Kazapua.

In extra time, Chippa thought they had tied the game when the ball went into the net after a scuffle in front of the goal, but the referee said that Chiefs keeper Brandon Peterson had been fouled.

Chiefs deserved the three points because they had most of the clear-cut chances. Midway through the first half, Mduduzi Shabalala hit the crossbar with a shot from close range.

Mamelodi Sundowns won the championship, so SuperSport United (47 points), Orlando Pirates (46 points), and Chiefs (44 points) are now fighting for the second spot in the Champions League.

Pirates are a slight favourite to join Sundowns because they still have four games to play while their opponents only have three, and SuperSport plays Chiefs in the round before the last.

The top two teams get to play in the Champions League, and the third-place team plays in the CAF Confederation Cup, which is like the UEFA Europa League in Africa.

Pirates and Sundowns have won the Champions League, and Chiefs came in second place two years ago, behind Al Ahly of Egypt.

Even though they were playing at home, Chippa’s fans were far outnumbered. They are still in last place, with one point more than Maritzburg United and two less than Marumo Gallants.

The last team is kicked out of the league and replaced by the winner of the second division. The second-to-last team goes into play-offs with the second and third-place teams from the lower league.

Maritzburg lost 1-0 to Swallows in Soweto when Tanzanian David Uromi scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute after coming off the bench.

With Musa Nyatama as their temporary coach, Swallows won their game and moved up two spots. They are now five points above the danger zone.

Maritzburg has only won one of their last 10 Premiership games. On Wednesday, they will host Marumo in a very important game.

Photo by Deryck Foster/BackpagePix