Mduduzi Shabalala celebrates his goal. BackpagePix/Ryan Wilkisky
JOHANNESBURG - Kaizer Chiefs boosted hopes of qualifying for the 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup by coming from behind to defeat Orbit College 3-1 in the South African Premiership on Monday.
After Mbulelo Wagaba put Orbit ahead, Wandile Duba equalised before half-time.
Second-half goals from Siphesihle Ndlovu and Mduduzi Shabalala won the match for the away team.
Chiefs' victory in Gqeberha elevated them one place to third. If they retain that position, they will qualify for the continental competition.
While Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are locked in a title race, Chiefs have 39 points, one more than AmaZulu, who twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw with Sekhukhune United.
Fifth-placed Sekhukhune and Durban City, both four points behind Chiefs, are also contenders for the Confederation Cup, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
As prize money regularly increases, CAF competitions are becoming increasingly attractive.
The 2025-26 CAF Champions League winners are going to pocket six million dollars, up from four million last season. The Confederation Cup first prize increases 100% to four million.
While the South African Premiership is the richest national league in Africa, a club would have to win it five times to match one Champions League triumph.
Chiefs have matches in hand over all their rivals, but only two of their remaining nine fixtures are at home.
However, they are the most popular club in South Africa and, apart from Soweto derbies with arch rivals Orlando Pirates, they enjoy majority support at any venue.
Promoted this season, second-last Orbit are struggling with only five wins in 23 matches. Despite changing goalkeepers, they have conceded 39 league goals, the most among the 16 clubs.
In Durban, Thapelo Matlhoko in the first half and Nkosikhona Radebe early in the second period gave AmaZulu leads that Olerato Mandi and Bright Ndlovu cancelled for Sekhukhune for a 2-2 draw.