But the battle for second spot and a 2022-2023 Champions League place is wide open with Royal and sixth-placed Stellenbosch among five clubs who have realistic hopes. Royal lost out on automatic promotion to the top flight last season after rivals Sekhukhune United were awarded three points from a match they lost because the winners fielded an ineligible player. The furious Durban club refused to take part in the promotion play-offs but, with another season in the second division looming, they bought cash-strapped Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic.
After losing their first two matches, Maduka turned the tide and the rookies have won 10 and drawn seven of 20 subsequent league games. Royal seemed set for an 11th victory when they took the lead in Stellenbosch for the second time seven minutes from time through Tebogo Potsane after the referee altered his original offside call. But Royal goalkeeper Patrick Nyame could only parry an 89th-minute free-kick and Judas Moseamedi tucked the rebound into the net.
