No Top 8 for Amakhosi: Kaizer Chiefs End Season in Disappointment
Kaizer Chiefs have failed to secure a spot in the top eight of the Betway Premiership following a disappointing goalless stalemate against Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium. The result confirmed that the Soweto giants will miss out on next season’s MTN8 competition, marking a second consecutive absence from the prestigious cup tournament.
A Frustrating Afternoon in Johannesburg
Chiefs made several adjustments to the team that drew with Sekhukhune United, reinstating Inacio Miguel, Zitha Kwinika, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Tashreeq Morris to the starting eleven. Morris nearly marked his return with an early goal, latching onto Wandile Duba’s pass, but Polokwane’s defence cleared the danger as Kaizer Chiefs pressed on.
Shortly after, the striker had another opportunity with a close-range header inside the six-yard box, only to be denied by goalkeeper Brian Bwire. Polokwane City, nicknamed Rise and Shine, responded with intent, creating threatening chances through Bonginkosi Dlamini and Surprise Manthosi.
Despite weathering the early pressure, Amakhosi were unlucky not to go ahead when Edmilson Dove’s header crashed against the woodwork following a pinpoint cross from Yusuf Maart. With the deadlock still unbroken, coach Nasreddine Nabi introduced Ashley Du Preez before half-time in place of Morris, looking for a breakthrough in the game against Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs Dominant but Ineffective
The second half saw City pick up the pace once more, with Dlamini nearly capitalizing on Maphangule’s delivery. Du Preez tried to inject some life into the attack with a sharp shot from a difficult angle, but Bwire stood firm once again.
While the home side controlled possession and created more chances towards the end of the match, their inability to find the net proved costly for Kaizer Chiefs. The final whistle confirmed a disappointing result for the club, which now sits ninth on the table with 32 points from 28 games – a position that could worsen with remaining fixtures.
Disappointment for the Club and Fans
The result adds to a turbulent campaign for Amakhosi, who despite clinching the Nedbank Cup – their first piece of silverware in a decade – failed to show consistency in the league. Their poor return of 25 goals scored and 32 conceded underlines both attacking inefficiency and defensive shortcomings throughout the season, a challenging period for Kaizer Chiefs.
Disappointment was etched on the faces of supporters in the stands, with many frustrated by the team’s ongoing underachievement in the domestic league. Finishing outside the top eight again has sparked further questions about the team’s direction under Nabi.
Coach Nabi Responds to Critics
Speaking after the match, head coach Nasreddine Nabi acknowledged the frustration of missing out on the MTN8 but urged fans and critics to see the bigger picture.
“This is a transitional season,” said Nabi. “Yes, I regret we’re not in the MTN8, but we’ve taken a big step by winning the Nedbank Cup. That shows we’re on the right track.”
The Tunisian coach defended the team’s progress, highlighting the improved creation of chances, though admitting the lack of a clinical striker hurt their chances of finishing higher. He pointed to ongoing team development and insisted the club is building a long-term vision, hoping that Kaizer Chiefs will benefit from this strategy.
Also read: Kaizer Chiefs Captain Yusuf Maart Included in Bafana Preliminary Squad
With their place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup secured thanks to their cup triumph, Chiefs now have a foundation to build upon. While the league campaign fell short of expectations, the Nedbank Cup win could be the start of a new chapter for one of the country’s biggest clubs.
For now, missing the MTN8 again is a sobering reminder that while a trophy is in the cabinet, there’s still plenty of work ahead before Kaizer Chiefs can truly say they are back where they belong.
