Should the “Glamour Boys” go on to land the R10million crown, this would see the Zimbabwean quartet of midfielder, Willard Katsande, strikers Kingstone Nkatha and Mathew Rusike and defenders Lincoln Zvasiya and Jimmy Jambo decorate their necks with a championship last won by Zvenyika Makonese when he was with Orlando Pirates two seasons ago.
The Naturena giants rallied to beat Moroka Swallows 3-1 in a League match last Saturday and thereby got to extend their lead over surprise package, Stars, held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation-threatened Chippa United on the same day.
Considering their current form, pedigree and remaining fixtures, it looks easier won than lost for the Amakhosi, who will be winning the league for the first time in a decade and also have the Nedbank Cup to fight for, as they try to complete a rare double.
Chiefs have already made their statement of intent, winning two of the quarters and raking in R3 million in the process in the PSL’s new Q-Innovation programme, introduced early this year to intensify competition in the league.
Chiefs have been amazing, but so also have been all the Zimbabweans in their line-up, Katsande, Nkhatha and Zvasiya being the most used of the five, following an injury-induced lengthy spell on the sidelines for Jambo, who had made a good start to the league, where he had made the left back position his.
Rusike has also been out injured, but recently returned to training as his side marches on to their latest war cry, “Reclaiming the Glory”. A win against their closest rivals at their favourite hunting ground, the Peter Mokaba Stadium, on Sunday will all but fast-track their crowning moment, as it will pull them nine points clear with just three games remaining and a massive goal difference, which currently stands at 30 goals against Stars’ 17.
They will have to try and beat Dikwena without their inspirational captain and reliable goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, who will be serving a one-match suspension this weekend.
Coach Stuart Baxter has refused to get carried away by the projections, choosing to believe it when he lays his hands on the trophy.
“There is still lot of football to be played and we cannot afford to get ahead of ourselves. We have to continue to focus on each game and give 100 per cent,” said the Briton.
“There are no guarantees in football, so we have to continue giving our best until the final league game. We once again have a massive game for us against Platinum Stars on Sunday and I am sure, for different factors, the players will be very motivated.”
Post published in: Football
Hats off to Head Coach Stuart Baxter whose stewed expertise transformed the hitherto out of sorts Amakhosi into a squad to beat this season. Although l am not a Chiefs supporter, l have to admit that l could not resist making it point that l watched almost all of their matches this season. They were just the Red Devils or may be the Yellow Devils of the SA PSL.