Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has explained the factors positioning the Soweto giants as genuine threats for the Betway Premiership title, pointing to a noticeable shift in the league’s competitive balance.
The Glamour Boys are firmly entrenched in a title race, tussling with rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for the ultimate prize. Chiefs currently occupy fourth place on the table with 30 points, having recorded eight wins, six draws, and just one defeat in 15 matches.
The Naturena-based side is hot on the heels of Sekhukhune United, Sundowns, and Pirates, who currently comprise the top three. As it stands, the Buccaneers sit at the summit with 38 points, while Sundowns and Sekhukhune follow in second and third with 35 and 32 points, respectively. Crucially, Chiefs hold two games in hand over the log leaders, Pirates.
After finishing the previous two seasons outside of the top eight, Chiefs have re-emerged as genuine contenders in a league dominated by Masandawana for the past eight years.
Should they maintain this rich vein of form, the Soweto giants could end a long drought in the SA top-flight, having last tasted league glory in 2015. With their exits from all domestic cup competitions and the CAF Confederation Cup, the league remains the only silverware left for Chiefs to fight for this season.
WHAT BEN YOUSSEF SAID ABOUT CHIEFS’ CHANCES OF WINNING THE LEAGUE
Speaking on Tuesday at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena, Ben Youssef stressed that the competition is too tight this season, while also stating that the CAF Champions League might overload the schedule of the defending champions, Sundowns.
“To be honest, this season, I feel like the level of teams is so close. Before, you’d feel a big difference, but now you see even in cup games, people think it’s a surprise [for the big three to be eliminated from the Nedbank Cup],” Ben Youssef said.
“For me, it wasn’t a surprise because the level of the teams is so close. In the last few years, Sundowns have always won the league, and they have more experience than the other teams.
“But now I think all teams have the chance of winning the league, and we have to continue to fight. It’s a long way, there are still 15 games left, and a lot of things can happen. Sundowns have the Champions League, us and Pirates have only the PSL now, and I hope that at the end of the season we will be lucky to be at the top.”
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