One wonders what message the boy in a vest will write
● There is a picture of a boy in a grey vest. The image was taken at the FNB Stadium where the boy was attending a Kaizer Chiefs match.
Wearing a rainbow-coloured bucket hat and with a wry smile on his face, he holds aloft a square cardboard on which the 16 words are scribbled.
“The only gap that Sundowns will close is that one in Thapelo Morena’s teeth. #asambe khosi” is the message on the board.
It was one of many barbs that boisterous Chiefs fans threw in the direction of reigning Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
“Catch us if you can” was another that was thrown about with rash, unrestrained impulsiveness.
One suspects the shot was snapped at a time when Amakhosi had built up what appeared to be an unassailable lead over Sundowns, especially to those who worship at the pulpit of points in the bag are better than games in hand.
During that period Sundowns, owing to their commitments in the Confederation of African Football Champions League, were lagging Amakhosi in matches played in the local league programme and had to play catch up. Hence the message on the square piece of cardboard.
The picture has completely changed since then. Chiefs tripped over themselves and their fans have watched a 13-point lead over the Brazilians evaporate right before their eyes like morning dew under the summer sun.
The gap in Morena’s teeth is still there. The one that has been closed going into today’s matches, table-toppers Chiefs are tied on 53 points with Downs, the former sitting on the summit by virtue of goal difference.
This afternoon Amakhosi will be up against Bidvest Wits at the FNB Stadium at 15.30. With the team three matches
The only gap Sundowns will close is that one in Thapelo Morena’s teeth. #asambe khosi
away from ceasing to exist, Bidvest Wits would be spurred to close the chapter of their 99-year existence by signing off in style. In them you have a bunch of boys playing for their lives.
Their captain, Thulani Hlatshwayo, midfielders Deon Hotto and Haashim Domingo as well as goalkeeper Ricardo Goss have secured their next destination when the final curtain is drawn on Wits.
The quartet were snapped up as soon as the “for sale” signs went up at Milpark.
Bafana Bafana captain Hlatshwayo and Namibian international Hotto are the prized possessions of Orlando Pirates while Domingo and Goss now call the Chloorkop headquarters of Sundowns their new home.
A whole host of their teammates still have everything to play for. In a sense, these remaining matches are an audition for them. They’re in a shop window of sorts. Nothing short of amazing showings will win the approval of suitors in the audience. And there are many.
Bursting the bubble of a championship-chasing team would be a sensational way for these players to close the curtain on their union with Wits.
Their coach Gavin Hunt has been cooing about how magnificent most of his boys have been.
Hunt commended the players for what they have given him, seeing that the majority of them will be without football clubs when Wits folds.
That presents a potential banana skin for Chiefs. In Ernst Middendorp, Amakhosi fans are dealing with a coach who is navigating virgin territory as far as winning a league title is concerned.
The only way to win it is to beat Wits today, Chippa United on Wednesday and Baroka FC on Saturday and not worry about how Sundowns fare against Baroka FC, Polokwane City and Black Leopards. There are no foregone conclusions. Nothing is taken for granted.
But Chiefs face the unpalatable possibility of finishing a season they have led for the better PR part of the 30-match marathon with nothing to show for it. One wonders what message the boy in a vest will write on his cardboard. Or will Morena take the gap of the last laugh? We will find out soon enough.