Kaizer Chiefs have climbed into third spot, but with six of their last seven games away from home — including clashes with Pirates and Sundowns — can the Amakhosi maintain their momentum? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Having collected maximum points from their last five games, there can be no denying that Kaizer Chiefs are on a hot run of form right now, but a quick look at what is to come for the Soweto giants paints a laborious road ahead.
The Amakhosi have done it in some style, too, scoring 12 goals in the process. Their winning run includes beating Magesi twice — most recently 4-1 on Wednesday night — while also racking up victories against TS Galaxy (2-0), relegation-threatened Orbit College (3-1), and Nedbank Cup finalists Durban City (1-0).
Chiefs have taken command of third position on the Betway Premiership standings with 45 points thanks to their current run, 10 points behind second-placed Orlando Pirates and six points clear of fourth-placed AmaZulu.
With seven matches remaining in their league season, it is a position they will be desperate to hold onto.
“It is the minimum to be in the Top 3 for us,” said co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef, after their resounding victory over Magesi in Bloemfontein.
“For a big team like Chiefs, it is the minimum. You want to be in the Top 3. It means consistency. Last season, we won the Nedbank Cup, but this season we are better in the league.
“We continue to fight. We continue to build. In the new season, the team will be back to winning trophies and to be one of the best in Africa.”
It is a bold prediction from Youssef, especially when considering the reality that lies before the club in finishing the current campaign.
The upcoming schedule is unkind to Chiefs, with six of their seven games away from home. Only the final game of the season — against Chippa United on 23 May — will be played at FNB Stadium, although the Naturena-based club will visit the cauldron for the league season's second Soweto derby as the away team.
While it is true that Chiefs enjoy boisterous support wherever they go, there can be no denying that home-ground advantage would have been a boon for their goal of finishing the league as strongly as possible.
All of Chiefs’ next games, however, will be on the road, starting with Polokwane City this weekend. They then have Orlando Pirates to consider a week later, followed by Siwelele on 29 April.
Fatigue might become a factor thereafter as they must face defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns — themselves in red-hot form — on 6 May, followed by matches against Sekhukhune United (10 May) and AmaZulu (16 May), before finishing the season against the Chilli Boys.
Regardless of their current form, the next month will be the true test of their consistency and mettle.