Kwinika Backs Chiefs’ Top Two Ambition
Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Zitha Kwinika believes the club still has a realistic chance of finishing in the top two of the Betway Premiership despite their current position and the difficult challenges they have faced throughout the season.
Amakhosi’s ambitions were recently reinforced by the club’s sporting director, Kaizer Junior Motaung, during an interview with Robert Marawa, where he stated that the club’s objective remains to finish inside the top two of the league this season.
Chiefs currently sit sixth on the league table with 30 points after 18 matches played, leaving them with a significant task if they are to close the gap on the league’s leading sides.
Both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns occupy the top two positions with 47 points each, meaning Amakhosi trail the leaders by 17 points with 12 games remaining this season.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys last finished inside the top two during the 2019/20 campaign under former coach Ernst Middendorp, when they narrowly lost the league title on the final day of the season.
Since then, Chiefs have struggled for consistency and have even failed to secure top-eight finishes in some recent campaigns.
However, Kwinika insists the team still believes the target is achievable if they perform strongly in the remaining matches.
“I think it is a realistic target for us because we still have to play 12 games, and us getting maximum points in all games coming can allow us to get back where we want to be, which is the target we set for ourselves this season,” Kwinika said.
“So, it’s reality, and I think it’s minimum for us to be honest, and if we can’t reach that, then it will make things difficult for us. I think that’s where we are heading, and the focus is to take each game as it comes and get maximum points as we can.
“I’m not talking about numbers, but the target as a group is to win, and that’s our target. I think where we are, we are still within reach of where we want to go.”
When asked how many points Chiefs could realistically collect in their remaining fixtures, Kwinika explained that focusing purely on numbers would not guarantee success, given the strong performances of other teams in the league.
“Hence I said to you, the points are things you can’t control because there are other teams that are playing well as well,” he added.
“So, it is not about being realistic about points we need to collect, but it’s us doing better, and whatever we do, we must get better points or be in a good position for us to get a good chance of achieving our target that we have this season.
“So, that is upon the results of how other teams are playing and how we play. I can’t guarantee that a certain number of points will put us ahead, given that other teams are also doing well.
“So, if they lose 10 games, then that means we need to win and get the opportunity where we want to be, I’m talking about the target we set as a group.”
Chiefs will look to begin that push when they face Durban City in their next league match at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they continue their fight to climb the Betway Premiership standings.
