Chiefs’ Njabulo Ngcobo happy to settle for second place

Kaizer Chiefs defender Njabulo Ngcobo has conceded that Mamelodi Sundowns have run away with the league title, citing that a second-place finish would be “good for the team”.

Amakhosi are a pale shadow of their former self, and, alongside their Soweto neighbours -Orlando Pirates – they have played bridesmaid as Downs dominate the league in recent years. 

Ngcobo, who joined Chiefs from Swallows early this season, has said he hopes they finish second.

“About the log standings, for now, I think we doing okay hopefully, we will finish position two; I think it will be something good for the team,” he said ahead of Saturday’s PSL tie against Chippa United.

The Glamour Boys, who have lost all their glam, are currently third, two points behind Royal AM [37 points], although they have two games in hand. They trail Sundowns by 16 points [51 points] with just seven games before the curtain comes down on the 2021/22 season. 

The reigning Defender of the Season is confident Chiefs are ready for the Chippa tie.

“As a team, we did well to prepare for this coming game, we are going to PE, and we need maximum points. Whatever we are doing now will lead us to get three points,” Ngcobo added.

“We are mentally and physically ready that they are going to give us a hard time because they also need three points, especially if you check where they are sitting, so it won’t be an easy game.”

The Chilli Boys are 13th and need maximum points to steer away from the relegation zone. But that 4-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture in October must still be fresh in their minds. Keagan Dolly went on the rampage on the day with a brace, while Khama Billiat and Lazarous Kambole weighed in with the other goals.

However, Chiefs go into the match smarting after a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows, while Chippa were held to a goalless draw by Marumo Gallants in their previous fixture. 

Kick-off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday is at 17:00 (CAT).