What challenges await Chiefs in DDC title race? Khumalo explains
Coach Vela Khumalo has identified key hurdles Kaizer Chiefs must overcome if they are to secure the DStv Diski Challenge title [DDC] this season.
Chiefs are currently at the summit of the DDC table with 45 points after 19 matches. However, their position is precarious, as Stellenbosch FC trails by a single point, having played 20 games.
As a result, Amakhosi are still left with nine games to play before the CAF Under-17 and U-20 AFCON tournaments start.
The 2025 U-17 AFCON tournament will take place in Morocco between 30 March and 19 April. Meanwhile, the U-20 AFCON will be played in Cote d’Ivoire from the 26th of April to the 18th of May 2025. DDC’s final round of fixtures will be on 03 May.
VELA KHUMALO ON WHAT COULD AFFECT KAIZER CHIEFS’ DDC TITLE RACE
Khumalo noted that Chiefs will have approximately 10 players participating for the SA U-17 and U-20 in the forthcoming tournaments.
True to Khumalo’s words, on Wednesday afternoon, SA U-20 head coach Raymond Mdaka named seven Chiefs players in his Amajita’s preliminary CAF U20 AFCON squad, the most of any club.
Therefore, Khumalo believes that the best approach to handle the scenario of losing many of their top players is to secure victories in their remaining games before they head to their respective camps.
“We are aware of our challenges ahead. You know, 10 of our players will be in the national teams. Talking about the U-17 and U-20 national team for AFCON, myself included. So, you have 10 players and a coach leaving,” said Khumalo.
“But we then said, before we leave, let’s win all the remaining games. We will see what’s going to happen before we can actually go to the camp and play AFCON.
“However, this shows that we have a talent and there’s something that we are doing right at Kaizer Chiefs youth development.”
Chiefs’ next league encounter will be against Limpopo side Polokwane City FC on Saturday, 15 March. The game will take place at FNB Stadium with the kick-off set for 10:00.
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