Chiefs aim to turn it around at Arrows
ON paper, Kaizer Chiefs are still in the running for second spot. In reality, it is really hard to see them getting the league runners-up spot, which will earn them qualification to next season’s CAF Champions League.
Amakhosi’s next assignment is a trip to KwaZulu-Natal to play against Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium tomorrow. Chiefs enter the game in fourth place having lost their last two league games.
Six points separate them from second-placed Royal AM, though they have played two games fewer. However, one point separates them from Cape Town City in third, who have played the equivalent amount of games to them.
The race for second spot now looks like it will be a two battle between the season’s surprise package Royal and the chasing pack of City; and outsiders Amakhosi, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch.
Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane has conceded that his side are lacking confidence at the moment. The coaching shift from former manager Stuart Baxter to Zwane will certainly not help Chiefs, especially at this point of the season.
One could argue that Chiefs would have been better off parting ways with Baxter at the end of the season, instead of forcing the players to have to potentially adapt to new systems at this point of the campaign.
Moreover, two out of Chiefs’ remaining league games will be against City and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We only had two days to prepare for the game against Stellies and things won’t change overnight,” Zwane admitted.
“It’s going to take some time but we need to play with flair and confidence as well as arrogance. We need to show that we are Kaizer Chiefs and surely we will get there.
“We are playing on Wednesday and have less time to prepare. The games are coming thick and fast but I think we will make sure that we are ready for the next game.”
It currently remains to be seen who will be the next man in charge of Chiefs. As things stand, the leading candidates tipped to succeed Baxter on a full-time basis are Zwane and Benni McCarthy.
Another candidate linked with the role is Pitso Mosimane.
While Mosimane is currently in charge of Al Ahly, it will not be surprising if the Egyptian giants part ways with him, should they end up losing out on the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League titles.