Kaizer Chiefs are firmly in the title race – and deserve to be treated as contenders
Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef were promoted to the positions of co-coaches following Nasreddine Nabi’s departure from the club earlier this season.
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Only a fool will believe that Kaizer Chiefs are not contenders for the title after they moved to within two points of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns following their win over Golden Arrows.
The current Betway Premiership season is shaping up to be the most exciting race in a long time. For the first time in years, all three of South Africa’s biggest clubs – Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – are in the hunt.
For the average betting supporter, the smart money remains on Sundowns. They are the reigning champions and should be seen as favourites to lift a ninth straight title. However, should they drop the ball at some point, Pirates are the best-placed side to capitalise.
Ezimnyama ngenkani ezikamagebhula sit just two points behind Sundowns and would return to the summit with a win over Sekhukhune United on Saturday, a reminder of how tight the race remains.
But supporters should not discount Chiefs, who appear to be slowly rediscovering their mojo. Under Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youseff, the club has performed with greater maturity. While performances have not been perfect, they have started winning games that previously slipped away.
Their 1–0 win over Golden Arrows this week was another indication that the tide may be turning. Chiefs rode their luck and benefited from a controversial goal – something most successful teams learn to accept and exploit over the course of a title challenge.
Crucially, Chiefs are now displaying traits associated with genuine contenders: the ability to manage difficult moments, remain patient, and grind out results when fluency is lacking. In previous seasons, matches like this would have ended in frustration or dropped points. This time, they found a way.
Kaze and Ben Youseff now need to bring supporters and former players with them. A more measured, positive tone from the outside could have a significant impact on a squad still learning how to handle expectation.
Chiefs’ progress continues to be judged harshly, with every misstep magnified, while similar flaws in their rivals are treated as part of the title grind. That imbalance in perception risks undermining what has been their strongest campaign in years.
If Amakhosi are to sustain this challenge, perspective will be just as important as tactics. Club legends, in particular, should resist turning on the players and technical team every time points are dropped.
Not long ago, calls were being made for the coaches to be sacked despite Chiefs sitting just a few points off the top – a position the club had not occupied for years. This season already represents their most credible title push in a long time, and it deserves patience rather than panic.
For all the debate, doubt and scrutiny, the table does not lie. Chiefs remain within touching distance of the summit, showing a level of composure and resolve that has been missing in recent seasons. There will be bumps along the way – that is the reality of a tight title race – but to suggest that Amakhosi are not firmly in the hunt is to ignore both the evidence and the momentum they are building. In a season as open as this, only a fool would count Kaizer Chiefs out.
IOL Sport