Kaizer Chiefs have been handed a major lifeline in their chase for a CAF Champions League qualification, but question marks remain on their ability to take advantage.
The contentious issue of Chiefs' fixtures which they didn't honour in December due to Covid-19-related reasons has been 'conditionally' put to rest with AmaKhosi now due to play their matches against Golden Arrows (April 27) and Cape Town City (April 30).
This then means Chiefs have seven confirmed matches to play before the end of the season making available 21 points to play for.
Chiefs now have the destiny of a second-place finish in their hands but for that to happen they have to win their games and improve on the poor form that has seen them pick up just four points from the last 12 available.
Stuart Baxter's men have only won against Chippa United, drawn with TS Galaxy before home defeats to Golden Arrows and SuperSport United.
They travel to Stellenbosch this weekend and must still play Arrows, City, Marumo Gallants, Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune United, and Swallows.
If they win all their remaining games, they will reach 60 points.
None of their second-place chasing rivals can reach that mark with Royal AM only able to reach a maximum of 59 points, Cape Town City (58) and Orlando Pirates (54) provided they win all their remaining games.
Baxter has come under a barrage of attacks in his first season back at Chiefs, who will now complete seven seasons in a row without silverware for the first time in their history.
The veteran gaffer was the last to win a trophy for AmaKhosi in 2015 and the best that he can deliver this season is a second-place finish.
The matter is still not final with the league having submitted Advocate Nazeer Cassim SC's arbitration ruling for review at the High Court with the application to be heard on May 10.
Should the league be successful in that High Court then the standings will be adjusted minus the two matches while if the decision sways in Chiefs' favour again then the log remains based on the outcome of the rescheduled matches.
For the rescheduled games, Chiefs will cover the travel costs.