Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Chiefs set themselves a last facesaving target
SIYETHEMBA Sithebe is realising his childhood dream by playing for Kaizer Chiefs, and that’s why he’d rather focus on the team’s future than his own.
Sithebe has had a rollercoaster ride at Chiefs in the last two seasons. He’s happy to be playing for his dream club but sad with the team’s poor form.
Chiefs are incredibly 10th in the DStv Premiership standings, and their top-eight aspirations are out of their hands as they trail the eighth-placed Chippa United by two points.
Their league form has declined drastically after losing their last three games to Stellenbosch FC, Chippa and Richards Bay – teams they were expected to beat easily.
Chiefs can still save their season by collecting maximum points in their six remaining league games and hope their direct rivals drop points.
Their search for redemption must start today by getting full points when they host SuperSport United at New Peter Mokaba Stadium (5.30pm kick-off).
“Anything can happen. Things can change. We can go to SuperSport and play well. If we can collect full points in these six games, things can change,” midfielder Sithebe said.
But while things have gone pear-shaped for Chiefs in the last nine seasons with no trophies to show for their efforts, Sithebe doesn’t regret joining the club from AmaZulu in 2022.
“When I arrived here, I knew that this was a club I grew up supporting and it’s a big club. It had been my dream to play for this club,” Sithebe, 31, explained.
“I arrived to a lot of experienced players, such as Itumeleng Khune, who had been at the club for some time, so it was easy for me to adapt.
“Last season I managed to play a lot of games. So, the boys were welcoming when I arrived, and that made my adaptation better.”
Things haven’t been easy for Sithebe this season, though. He sustained an injury early in this season, then returned, but still didn’t play.
However, things have looked up for him in the last four games, starting three and coming on as a substitute in one, even though this has coincided with the team’s poor run.
The remaining six games will not only be crucial in saving Chiefs’ season, but they could determine Sithebe’s fate as his contract will come to an end in June.
“I was out injured, and when I returned I kept myself always fit. I came back and I got a chance to play,” Sithebe explained.
“As a player I am proud of the fact that I managed to bounce back stronger and fitter. It wasn’t easy at all.
“The focus right now is to help the team win games. I can’t focus on the contract situation right now; I’ll focus on that after we’ve played the remaining games.”
Whatever happens between now and June, Sithebe will always appreciate the two years he has spent at Chiefs, in what has been a unique experience.
“I’ve learned that the teams are not the same, and this is a big team. There’s a lot of pressure from the supporters, they want to win every game,” he said.
“When you draw, the supporters don’t take kindly to that. I’ve seen what happens in the big teams, the professionalism.
“I think there’s pressure and everything, so those are the things that I’ve learned. Not doing well in the league has been a unique experience on its own.”