Head games
Chiefs still in title race – Maluleka
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka believes the Soweto giants can still challenge for the league title.
Chiefs‚ who started the season under the muddled stewardship of Giovanni Solinas‚ have looked better structured since December under new coach Ernst Middendorp.
They have nonetheless sagged to seventh place in the Absa Premiership, with 28 points from 20 matches.
With 10 games left to play‚ Amakhosi are nine points behind leaders Bidvest Wits.
But Maluleka said on Wednesday‚ as Chiefs prepared to face Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday (kickoff 3pm)‚ that they could challenge for the league.
“Yes. Yes‚ I still think we can do it. It’s going to go down to the last day‚ I think‚ once again‚” the midfielder said.
“But we believe we are still there.”
Maluleka was asked what gave him hope that Chiefs could still mount a successful title challenge.
“I think [it comes from] the whole team. I mean‚ then why are we playing‚ if you are going to believe we’re not going to [challenge]?
“We believe we still can‚ and anything is still possible.
“Everyone else is also dropping points. You know‚ there are draws.
“So you know‚ we need to keep our eyes open as well. And, hopefully, it will soon turn our way.”
Chiefs have won three times in the league‚ drawn once and lost twice in six matches since Middendorp’s arrival on December 9.
Under Solinas they won four‚ drew five and lost four of 13 league matches.
Meanwhile, Maluleka has thanked the club’s supporters for voting his super strike against SuperSport United as the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month for December.
The player was presented with the award at Chiefs’ headquarters in Naturena on Wednesday.
Asked if he had expected the prize‚ he said: “I didn’t. But we do have a lot of supporters.
“I did have a look at a couple of goals in that month.
“And ja‚ I’m very happy that I received it.
“Like I said‚ it’s all thanks to our supporters and the voters out there,” he said.
Maluleka’s stunning longrange drive was the winning goal in the 64th minute of Amakhosi’s 1-0 PSL win against SuperSport at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on December 12.
Collecting the ball outside the 18-yard box, Maluleka looked up and unleashed a swerving drive past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the topright corner.
Maluleka’s strike will become a finalist for Goal of the Season‚ also voted for by the public.