Chippa United missed out on the DStv Premiership top eight after losing 1-0 to Sekhukhune United at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into the encounter, Chippa were in a five-horse race with Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu, Polokwane City and Golden Arrows to secure the last MTN8 spot for next season.
They needed three points to help decide their fate and hope for favours in other fixtures. Had the cards fallen for them, it would have been the Chilli Boys' second top-eight finish since their promotion in 2012 with their best league finish being sixth in 2015-16.
But it was not to be on the day as Polokwane City took the last spot after beating TS Galaxy 1-0 in their game at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
For Sekhukhune the win meant that they finished fourth on the log with 45 points to secure a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Due to heavy overnight rain, both sides struggled to string passes in the opening stages in muddy conditions.
This was reflected in the shots of the target column as both teams had zero after 30 minutes.
With frustration etched on Kwanele Kopo's face in the dugout, Chippa upped the tempo and controlled possession.
Thabo Mkhele was the first to test Goalkeeper of the Season nominee Badra Sangare but the Ivorian parried his header away.
Moments later and seconds from halftime, Kaydin Francis hit the woodwork.
With Chippa fans anxious and on their phones checking scores in the other fixtures about the country, Sekhukhune and Chippa went to the stroke of halftime goalless.
Chippa were awarded a million-dollar chance to break the deadlock in the second stanza after Sangare mishandled a Chippa shot in his box but Bienvenu Eva Nga skewed his shot over the bar from close range and one-on-one with the keeper.
It would turn from bad to worse as the referee awarded a penalty to Sekhukhune after Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was ruled to have tripped fellow Nigerian Chibuike Ohizu.
Nwabali immediately turned from villain to hero as he double-saved Daniel Cardoso’s penalty.
But Sekhukhune would not be denied again as defender Asekho Tiwani scored for Babina Noko with 20 minutes remaining.
Despite flurries of attack, the Chilli Boys could not spark a response.
DispatchLIVE
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