Substitute Tashreeq Morris broke the deadlock at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the 86th minute and Mfundo Vilakazi made sure of the points with his 91st minute penalty after also coming off the bench.

There were no changes for Sekhuhkune from the side that beat Chippa United in their last game while Chiefs made three changes from the side that last drew with Mamelodi Sundowns.

It was the home team who made the fastest start as Babina Noko stole possession from the kick-off and were immediately on the front foot in a bid to force an early goal.

A long ball over the top set Bright Ndlovu through on goal but he was well wide of the target with his strike from a tight angle.

Chiefs though took control of possession and were working the ball well in search of an opening. Former Amakhosi defender Daniel Cardoso made an important intervention to stop Fabio Silva from latching onto a neat Thabiso Monyane pass inside the Sekhukune area.

A floated ball to Silva was well then claimed by Sekhkhune stopper Toaster Nsabata after nine minutes

A snapshot from Gaston Sirino flashed across the face of the home side's goal after some super work from Bradley Cross to whip in a cross under pressure.

Chiefs really should have opened the scoring from a 21st minute free-kick, after Thato Khiba upended Pule Mmodi right on the edge of the 18-yeard box, but Glody Lilepo fired harmlessly over the goal.

Mmodi was then guilty of passing the ball just outside the left upright of goalkeeper Nsabata after a superb attacking move to open up the Sekhukhune defence.

Ndloviu wanted a penalty on 26 minutes after Sekhkhune swept forward, but the referee waved play on as the player went down in the box.

A long-range effort from Lesiba Nku just before the half-hour mark was never going to trouble Brandon Petersen in the Chiefs' goal.

Petersen got down well to claim a low shot from Olerato Mandi following a well-worked throw-in, while Sirino tested Nsabata with a stinging effort on 38 minutes that the keeper did well to hold on to.

With the half winding down, Lilepo tried his luck from distance, but only managed to scoop his shot into the stands.

Chiefs made two changes at half-time, with Reeve Frosler replacing Monyane and Thabo Cele coming on for Sibongiseni Mthethwa, and the difference in the Chiefs' attack was immediately apparent.

First Petersen needed to be alert to keep out a Vuyo Letlapa header from the centre of the box, while Ndlovu's long-range effort wasn't too far wide.

But Chiefs were soon in the attack, with Sirino forcing Nsabata into a strong save after a swift attacking move, before Nsabata had to race out of his goal and close down Silva as the striker looked to break free on goal.

A good Frosler ball into the box from the right from Frosler was then just inches ahead of the advancing Mmodi.

Sekhukhune United brought on Tidiane Diomande for Tshepo Mokoane as they looked to get back into the tie and there were further changes for Chiefs, as Vilakazi replaced Sirino and Tashreeq Morris made a rare appearance for Silva.

Nsabata made a crucial save to tip Aiden McCarthy cross away from danger, with Morris lurking at the back post.

Nsabata was again first to the ball, with Morris flying in to connect to another good delivery from the right-hand side from Frosler.

Sekhukhune introduced Thabang Monare for Khiba for the final 15 minutes of the game, with the tie still finely balanced.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo was next to fire well over the target as Chiefs continued to probe for a potential winner.

Chiefs wanted a penalty as Lilepo was upended in the box, but the challenge from Tresor Yamba Yamba started outside the area and wasn't deemed a foul despite a clear offence of dangerous play from the defender.

Ethan Chislett came on for Mmodi for the final ten minutes of the match and hit the top of the net with a dipping free kick on 82 minutes.

But it was fellow substitute Morris, who made all the difference for Chiefs, with a simple finish from close range after an excellent cross from Lilepo from the right.

This was Morris' first appearance and first goal of the season, having found himself fall down the Chiefs' pecking order.

There was no way back for Sekhukhune as Vilakazi wrapped up the tie with his well-taken penalty into the right of the net past an outstretched Nsabata after Lilepo was unceremoniously upended in the box by Vuyo Letlapa.

The result sealed Chiefs third-place finish to the season, on 51 points, and CAF Confederation Cup football for next season.

Sekhukhune ended the evening in fifth place with 42 points from 28 games.

Kaizer Chiefs celebrate collective effort after securing CAF Confederation Cup spot