McCarthy Backs Chiefs In Winning The League Title
Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy believes the Betway Premiership title race is still wide open and insists Amakhosi remain firmly in contention to lift the league trophy this season.
The last time Chiefs won the league was in the 2014/15 season under the guidance of Stuart Baxter. Since then, the Soweto giants have endured a difficult period in domestic competitions, although they ended a 10-year trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Cup last season under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Despite their Nedbank Cup success, Chiefs have struggled in the league in recent campaigns, finishing outside the top eight in the past two seasons. During that time, Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Premiership, winning the title in each of the last eight seasons.
Sundowns remain the team to beat this term, sitting at the top of the standings with 32 points from 15 matches, three points clear of Orlando Pirates, who are second with 29 points from 13 games.
Amakhosi, meanwhile, occupy third place with 27 points from 14 matches, following their 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows last week.
Despite trailing the top two, McCarthy remains confident Chiefs can still mount a successful title challenge.
“The race is on, we won the league title before (in the 2014/15 season), ” McCarthy said.
“So, it’s very possible, and we need to work hard towards the end of the season because it’s our main goal to win the league.”
Chiefs will look to continue their push for the title when they face Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership clash at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old defender expects a tough encounter but insists Amakhosi will give everything to secure maximum points.
“Going to Bloemfontein to play against Marumo Gallants, we know that we’ll face quality players, and it’s a team that brings everything on the day,” McCarthy added.
“It’s unexpected, we can only plan with what we have in the team and the players individually, of which they will go all out there and give everything and do the job.”
A victory for Chiefs against Bahlabane Ba Ntwa would see Amakhosi move up to second place on the Betway Premiership log.
