Kaizer Chiefs legend Patrick Mayo has voiced what he views as a concern for the Soweto giants that comes with the FIFA international break, suggesting potential disruptions at Naturena.
Club football is currently on pause to pave the way for international duty. Amakhosi have just one player with the national team: Guinea-Bissau striker Flavio da Silva.
Going into the November FIFA break, the Soweto giants were on a three-match winning streak in the Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup. They had picked up momentum following a slump in form.
Despite being knocked out of the Carling Knockout Cup by Stellenbosch FC at the Last 16 stage on penalties, Chiefs are unbeaten in nine successive games across all competitions in regulation time. They are now on a break, having last been involved in competitive action on November 4 when they hammered Siwelele FC 4-1 in the league.
The reigning Nedbank Cup champions extended their time away from competitive fixtures by withdrawing from the 2025 Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup, scheduled for Sunday, November 16, at the Prince Mangosuthu Regional Stadium in Ulundi.
They return with a Confederation Cup trip to Egypt to face Al Masry in a Group D tie on November 23. That translates to 18 days without playing official matches for the Soweto giants.
WILL THE FIFA BREAK AFFECT KAIZER CHIEFS’ MOMENTUM? PATRICK MAYO ANSWERS
“Yes, obviously, they will be affected because playing friendlies is not like playing official games. They are not the same, especially in terms of intensity,” Mayo told FARPost. “But friendlies help to a certain extent to help the players from being rusty. So, for now, they should just keep on playing friendlies.
“There is also the AFCON break, and it is also very important to go [into the hiatus] on a high because that break is going to be too much as it is from December to January. They should end this year on a high note.”
On the domestic front, the Betway Premiership title is still well within Amakhosi’s reach to be crowned champions for the first time since 2015. Currently third on the table, they trail leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by three points, although the Brazilians have played a game more.
“Yes, Chiefs have good PSL title chances because Sundowns have not been dominating this season. They won’t be dominating, everybody can see that,” added Mayo.
“They [Sundowns] are under pressure; they have already played more league games than other teams this season, but they don’t have that healthy lead.”
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