While winning the Nedbank Cup title earlier this month was a massive achievement for Kaizer Chiefs, if they are unable to finish inside the top eight on the Betway Premiership, it will still be an incredibly poor season.
Even though it was the first piece of silverware for the Soweto Giants in a decade, the cup win can’t paper over the cracks for a club that has performed well below its potential in the league once again. Chiefs also finished 10th last season.
Chiefs take on Polokwane City in their final league outing at FNB Stadium on Saturday, and even with a victory, they could still finish outside the top eight.
Chiefs are currently ninth in the standings with 31 points. Polokwane are seventh with 33 points, and AmaZulu are sixth with 34 points. Chippa United occupy the coveted eighth position, on the same point tally as Chiefs but ahead by one on goal difference.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Top Eight Ambitions Hang in the Balance Amidst Tight PSL Standings
Behind Chiefs, Marumo Gallants are 10th also with 31 points but a much inferior goal difference.
Richards Bay in 11th have 30 points, Magesi are 12th on 29 points but have two games remaining. Golden Arrows also have two games remaining with their 27 points, and SuperSport United down in 14th also have two matches left with their 26 points.
The permutations are plenty then, as SuperSport are even in with a chance of finishing ahead of Chiefs.
With Tunisian Nasreddine Nabi coming in at the beginning of the season as the new coach of Chiefs, he asked for patience as he had a long-term plan for the club from the start.
However, if Chiefs don’t at least finish in the top eight, he may not get the chance to carry out that long-term plan next season.
Over to you, Chiefs.
@Michael_Sherman
Sport
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of or Independent Media.
** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to [email protected]. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
