Kaizer Chiefs’ fight for a top-eight finish has intensified as coach Cavin Johnson has emphasized the importance of winning their remaining matches.

He’s dubbed them “cup finals” for the Soweto giants.

The team currently occupies the last spot in the top eight after drawing with AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Their next challenge is Polokwane City, who sit just below them in ninth place with the same points. This crucial match precedes their final game of the season against the already-relegated Cape Town Spurs.

Chiefs are on track for one of their lowest points totals in PSL history, currently sitting at 35 points after 28 matches. Coach Johnson, who took over from Molefi Ntseki in October, faces pressure to turn things around.

While Johnson has acknowledged the struggles and the importance of reaching the MTN8 quarterfinals next season, his efforts to stabilize the team have yet to yield significant improvement. Their recent draw echoes the sentiment after a heavy defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns two weeks ago – a need to fight for a top-eight finish.

“At the moment, like I said a week before last, it’s about winning every game,” said Johnson. 

“And the top eight is very important to the club and you asked how vital (to finish in the top eight?), we have to take the next two games as cup finals. 

“We have been doing that in the last six games whereby every game we play is a cup final. 

“You can see last week’s game, the game before, I don’t see the club playing bad football, the problem is that we are not putting it in the back of the net.”