Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef says they have to compete for the league title with 15 games remaining.
With Chiefs being eliminated from the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup in the space of a week – the league is the only possibility for silverware in the 2025/26 season.
Given that Chiefs are eight points off league leaders Orlando Pirates, with two games in hand – they are within touching distance with a credible two points per game ratio at the half-way mark, a far cry from the side who finished 10th last season.
And with Ben Youssef and his co-coach Cedric Kaze far from certain to be at the club next season, there’s a possibility for the interim leaders to go gung-ho to challenge reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates – who were both eliminated from the domestic cup this weekend.
“I think it’s a smart question [to ask if we’re tempted to throw everything in the title race], how can I answer about this question? Finishing number 10 yes, normally when you finish number 10 you must think about building, so finishing top five and then continue to fight [the next season],” he said when asked by iDiski Times about their title desires.
“But look now that we’re in a situation, we’re in, being close, or we can win or fight for the PSL – we’re here to continue to work. I think the performance of the team, in 15 games to make 30 points, it’s been a while since the team made this performance.
“Regarding goals conceded, only six goals in 15 games, all the stats we’re seeing, chances created, we’re on the top, so if everything is right and we’re ready, why not? We continue to fight [for the league].
“We’re a big team, we’re Kaizer Chiefs and we have to continue to fight, every competition you have to fight for win… normally, as you said when you finish tenth, you have to think about increasing into the top five but in this situation, we’re in the top three and we have 15 games to win in the PSL, without waiting for the other results.”
Chiefs will be aiming to get closer to the top of the table with victory over Stellenbosch when they host Gavin Hunt’s side at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening (19h30).
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