Maboe Insists Amakhosi Can Challenge Sundowns And Pirates For Betway Premiership Title

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe has backed the current squad, insisting they have enough arsenal to go toe-to-toe with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates for titles this season.

The latter duo have shared the last nine league titles between them, with Pirates ending Sundowns’ eight-year dominance last season.

Sundowns and Pirates will also clash for the first available trophy of the campaign when they meet in the MTN8 final on 10 October.

Chiefs failed to progress in that competition, suffering a quarter-final exit at the hands of Golden Arrows.

However, Amakhosi—who finished third last season—have made a solid start to their new campaign, sitting third with six points from four matches following two wins and two draws.

One of those draws came in a 1-1 battle against Sundowns, where Chiefs took the lead before Sundowns fought back to equalize.

That display, coupled with key new signings and the arrival of head coach Fernando da Cruz, has convinced Maboe that the team can challenge for major honors this term.

“I think we have the squad to do that,” said Maboe.

“We have the team and we have the coach, but we also need silverware. I want to put smiles back on our fans’ faces. It’s not just about the supporters, though—we also want to leave a legacy and leave the jersey in a better place. As I said, the main focus right now is to keep winning games.”

Chiefs are now unbeaten in their last four matches against Mamelodi Sundowns across all competitions.

Maboe attributes the squad’s growth to their participation in last season’s CAF Confederation Cup—a tournament they will compete in again this term.

“It showed that we are capable,” Maboe reflected, referencing their 1-1 draw against Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in May.

“If anyone had doubts, I think that performance proved what we can do. Playing in the Confederation Cup helped us tremendously to deliver performances like that because we are now accustomed to playing at such a high intensity. The Confederation Cup has really prepared us to compete at this level.”

Amakhosi will host Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium in their upcoming Betway Premiership fixture on Sunday.