Johannesburg – They may not be in action this weekend, but Kaizer Chiefs could be the biggest beneficiaries of Saturday’s Absa Premiership programme, which could end with Amakhosi securing the R10-million title.
But Chiefs could also, for the first time this season, see their lead at the top reduced to goal difference only, heaping more pressure on them ahead of next week’s finale.
Amakhosi require three more points from their remaining two games to win the championship, but should their competitors, Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates falter, Stuart Baxter’s team might not even need to lift a finger in their remaining fixtures next week.
Victory for Stars against struggling Golden Arrows would leave the second-placed Rustenburg side level on points with Chiefs, something which would increase the intense pressure which has been building at Naturena as the league marathon nears the end.
Should Dikwena lose to the Lamontville side, the title race would be over for them as it would mean they finish only on 56 points – Chiefs’ current tally – if they win their last match next week.
Pirates, too, have to win against Mamelodi Sundowns (Orlando Stadium, 3pm) to stand any chance of catching up with Chiefs. The Buccaneers have dropped points at an alarming rate, and even second place – which carries prizemoney of R5-million as opposed to R3-m for third place – seems unlikely if they do not win against the resurgent Brazilians, who are looking to make a late top-eight bid.
Roger de Sa’s team can finish on a maximum of 58 points if they win their final three games, but even that may not be enough if Chiefs win just one more game. Should they draw with Sundowns, they would be unable to dislodge Chiefs at the top.
But despite the odds hugely favouring Chiefs, skipper Itumeleng Khune confessed on Thursday he was worried his team had lost what was once a healthy lead at the top.
“When we were seven, six points clear, we were relaxed,” Khune said. “But after we lost to Ajax Cape Town last week, and Stars winning against Maritzburg United, we became a bit worried. What counts in our favour is goal difference. We know we need to win just one more game.”
It’s not only at the top where Saturday’s games could have a massive influence. Like Chiefs, Black Leopards are also not in action this weekend, and their fate could virtually be sealed if Chippa United win against fellow newcomers Tuks.
A Chippa win would mean Lidoda Duvha are relegated if they don’t beat Pirates in their next game on Wednesday.
Remarkably, Chippa could also, for the first time, climb out of the relegation positions if they win and Ajax lose to Maritzburg.
But the Urban Warriors have their destiny in their hands, needing to win their remaining two games to stay up and avoid the dreaded promotion play-offs.
The battle for the top eight has also intensified. A mere five points separate Bidvest Wits (fourth) and Maritzburg (11th), making the remaining two fixtures even more critical as teams bid to join the millionaires club (all teams that finish in the top eight are guaranteed at least R1-million in prizemoney). More importantly, teams would want to qualify for next year’s MTN8 competition, which carries a cool R8-million first prize. – The Star
HOW CHEISF CAN WIN THE TITLE ON SATURDAY
*Arrows beat Platinum Stars
This would mean Stars would remain on 53 points and finish on 56 if they win their last game next week. As Chiefs have a superior goal difference, Dikwena would not be able to dislodge them
*Pirates lose or draw with Sundowns
If Bucs drop points on Saturday, it would be impossible for them to catch up with Chiefs as they would finish on 56 or fewer points
*Should one of Stars or Pirates win, Chiefs would seal the title if they beat SuperSport on Wednesday, or Tuks next Saturday
Fixtures
(all 3pm): Pirates v Sundowns, Orlando; SuperSport v Moroka Swallows, Lucas Moripe Stadium; Arrows v Platinum Stars, Princess Magogo Stadium; Celtic v FS Stars, Free State Stadium; Wits v AmaZulu, Bidvest Stadium; Maritzburg v Ajax, Harry Gwala Stadium; Chippa v Tuks, Phillipi Stadium
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
Chiefs 28 15 11 2 47 19 56
Platinum 28 16 5 7 44 25 53
Pirates 27 13 10 4 33 18 49
Wits 28 10 10 8 29 29 40
Celtic 28 11 7 10 29 30 40
SuperSport 27 8 15 4 29 22 39
Swallows 28 11 5 12 40 40 38
Free State 28 9 10 9 27 28 37
Pretoria 28 7 15 6 31 27 36
Sundowns 28 8 11 9 28 25 35
Maritzburg 28 8 11 9 27 28 35
AmaZulu 28 7 11 10 20 30 32
Arrows 28 7 7 14 26 35 28
Ajax 28 6 9 13 30 45 27
Chippa 28 5 9 14 24 38 24
Leopards 28 5 8 15 31 56 23