Pirates & Royal AM CAFCL Permutations Explained

When Orlando Pirates face Royal AM later today, three teams could still secure their qualification for the CAF Champions League.

The Buccaneers come into the game after their 4-1 win over Maritzburg United on Monday, which has kept their hopes of finishing in second place alive.

Similarly, Royal AM can also still finish in second spot and book their ticket for next season’s CAF Champions League campaign.

However, both teams need a win today and, while three points for Thwili Thwala would see them go to 49 points on the DStv Premiership and above Cape Town City on goal difference, Pirates need the three points plus a win in their final game against SuperSport United to finish as runner-up.

The Buccaneers currently have 43 points, with a goal difference of +8, two wins in their final games would take them to 49 points and at least a goal difference of +10, meaning they would better City’s goal difference of +8.

Should both teams draw in tonight’s encounter, though, City would secure the second place in the league and play in the 2022/23 CAF Champions League.

In that case, Royal AM would finish on 47 points and be in line to end up in third place, overtaking Stellenbosch FC based on the better goal difference (+12 to +9).

The Buccaneers would then need to beat SuperSport by five goals in their final league game on Monday to still overtake John Maduka’s side.