Chiefs star: League win a bridge too far
Ramahlwe Mphahlele has been in the game long enough to know where to limit his expectations, and the Kaizer Chiefs defender has revealed that getting a Caf Confederation Cup spot (by finishing third) is the only thing the club can now realistically fight for in their Absa Premiership campaign.
His words may not be wholly welcomed by the legions of Chiefs fans, who may feel the side can still be the surprise winners of the league by snatching glory from under the noses of Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town City or Bidvest Wits.
Amakhosi have had a difficult campaign but Ernst Middendorp has brought some stability and new hope to the team but it is clear there is still a lot the German will have to do to make the side the well-oiled machine they once were.
“We speak one language as a team and obviously we will try and win the games that are left and see where we end up. I don’t think we still have a chance to win or compete for the league (title) but we still want to finish on a good note. Maybe we can get a Confederation Cup spot, that is still possible,” he said yesterday.
Chiefs host relegation-haunted Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium tomorrow (6pm) and Mphahlele knows they will have to fight hard for the points.
“It is going to be a very difficult game for us. They are fighting for their lives, they want to save their club. They will give everything they have to come here and get the points. But we also need the points so we can finish in a respectable position.
“We want to win the game. We are going to give it everything as well. We respect them and we know what they will bring. The coaches are doing their jobs in terms of the tactics and the game plan for the day.
“The truth is the PSL has improved tremendously over the past six years. Where there used to be two teams fighting for the league title, now a team at the bottom can beat a team at the top or No 2.
“That shows teams have raised their standards and the players are competing, when they come and play against the big teams they work extra hard.
“That helps the league because it is not obvious that Chiefs are going to win when they play, let’s say, a Soweto XI. It’s become very difficult to beat the so-called small teams, which is good for the league because it makes it more competitive.”
Kermit Erasmus has made a big impact since signing for Cape Town City in January and has been a major contributor in turning the Mother City side into serious title contenders, with wins at Bidvest Wits and at home to Mamelodi Sundowns in the space of four days. Erasmus was the spark for City’s tremendous comeback against the Clever Boys on Saturday, netting just after half-time, and then providing a superb backheel pass for Surprise Ralani to level the scores. And Erasmus was at it again on Tuesday evening, lashing home his side’s equaliser against as City moved within a point of the top of the table.
Bidvest Wits find themselves fourth in the Absa Premiership table at present, a situation that seemed highly improbable when they were 2-0 up at half-time against Cape Town City on Saturday evening. This was the second time this season, however, that the Clever Boys let slip a two-goal lead at home, with Gavin Hunt bemoaning his side’s defensive mistakes at the end of the game, and making reference to how many Bafana players he has in his back four. Certainly, one expects better from a defence containing Thulani Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanazi and Sifiso Hlanti, but Hunt also has to take his share of the blame, particularly as he insists on playing Hlatshwayo out of position at right-back.