As the Betway Premiership season draws to a close, Kaizer Chiefs supporters may want to keep their calculators close at hand. With just two rounds remaining, the pressure is mounting on the Soweto giants to secure a place in the top 8 – a feat that is anything but guaranteed.
Despite celebrating a dramatic 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final last weekend, Amakhosi’s league campaign has been underwhelming. The cup triumph has provided a silver lining, but league inconsistencies have left their top 8 hopes hanging by a thread. Missing out again this year could place head coach Nasreddine Nabi’s job in jeopardy.
Crunch Time: The Permutations
Kaizer Chiefs’ path to the top 8 is straightforward in theory but challenging in execution. They must win their remaining two fixtures – against Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City – and then hope results elsewhere go in their favour.
Sekhukhune, already assured of a top 8 finish and pushing for a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, will not be an easy hurdle. Polokwane City, meanwhile, are also in the hunt for a top-half finish and face a key game against Cape Town City before meeting Chiefs.
If Chiefs win both matches, they will end the season on 36 points. However, their fate doesn’t rest entirely in their hands. Rivals like Magesi FC and SuperSport United still have a mathematical chance to surpass that tally if they win all of their remaining games. That would edge Chiefs out of the top 8 regardless of their own efforts.
A Must for the Club
Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr, emphasized the importance of finishing strong this season during an interview with 5FM’s Xoliswa Zondo.
“We need to be in the top 8,” he stressed. “We missed out last year and it’s not acceptable for a club of our stature. We want to be competing in every cup next season, and to do that, we must be in the top 8.”
He acknowledged the challenge ahead, especially with their final opponents performing well this season. “It’s two tough games – Polokwane City and Sekhukhune – but we’ll give everything.”
The Stakes Are High
Failing to secure a top 8 finish for the second year in a row would not only be a blow to the club’s prestige but could also spark significant changes behind the scenes. A top 8 spot guarantees qualification for the MTN8, a tournament that provides both financial incentive and a chance at early-season silverware.
For now, the equation is simple for Amakhosi: win, and hope. Anything less, and another season of frustration could be in store. So yes, Chiefs fans – dust off your calculators. It’s going to be a nail-biting finish.
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