Johannesburg – The time for calculators has dawned on the Absa Premiership, as the title race reaches the final lap.
Statistically, any of the top seven can still win the title, but realistically, it has become a three-way race, with leaders Kaizer Chiefs facing a challenge from Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars.
Amakhosi can finish with a maximum of 69 points if they win all their remaining six games, while Pirates – seven points behind their rivals – can end up on a tally of 65. Stars, meanwhile, could finish on a commendable 63 points if they beat all their opponents leading up to May 18, when the league season concludes.
When they last won the title in 2004/05 under Ted Dumitru, Chiefs required 62 points, and no club have reached that mark since, with Pirates needing 58 last year and 60 the season before.
In winning their first championship in 2007/08, SuperSport United amassed 54 points, which is what Chiefs could match if they beat Golden Arrows on Saturday, with five games to go.
Former Chiefs and Pirates striker Pollen Ndlanya on Thursday warned the league race would go down the wire, with the triumphant team probably needing to hit the mid-60 mark.
“I think it’s too early for anyone to celebrate,” Ndlanya said.
“Chiefs have put themselves in a great position, but their remaining games are tough. Look at what happened (on Wednesday) against Maritzburg (when Chiefs could only draw 1-1).”
But Ndlanya added Stuart Baxter’s men could be aided by Pirates’ recent poor run, where they have picked up just four points out of a possible 15. “They (Pirates) are not serious about pushing Chiefs all the way. Maritzburg did them a favour, but they failed to take advantage.
“They will have to show some seriousness to defend the title.
“Although they have a game in hand, they have put themselves in a difficult position because they need to win six of their remaining games, and hope Chiefs lose two or three, to stand a chance.”
The former Bafana Bafana striker, who won the title with Pirates in 2000/01, said both Soweto giants won’t have it easy in their run-in, as they had to play teams fighting for the top eight and survival.
“The players will have to be mentally strong. The results (on Wednesday) show the road ahead will be harder. Chiefs have to play teams like Tuks and Ajax, and they want to survive. Pirates have Sundowns, who want to go into the top eight.
“This is the time when you need a good team spirit, where players don’t moan when they are left on the bench.”
Ndlanya said Stars could not be discounted after they clawed their way back into contention by beating Free State Stars away in midweek.
“You can’t overlook Platinum Stars because the teams they are facing (in the run-in) are not a major threat. They are also set to play Chiefs, and are the only team to beat Chiefs in the league this season,” he said. – The Star
STANDINGS
p w d l f a Pts
Chiefs 24 14 9 1 43 15 51
Pirates 23 12 8 3 29 14 44
Platinum 23 13 3 7 35 23 42
Wits 23 8 9 6 23 24 33
SuperSport 23 6 14 3 25 19 32
Maritzburg 23 8 8 7 24 22 32
Free State 23 8 8 7 20 19 32
Swallows 23 9 4 10 32 33 31
Celtic 23 8 6 9 24 27 30
Tuks 23 5 13 5 22 21 28
Sundowns 23 6 9 8 20 20 27
Arrows 23 7 5 11 23 27 26
AmaZulu 23 5 10 8 13 25 25
Leopards 23 4 8 11 26 39 20
Ajax 22 4 7 11 19 35 19
Chippa 23 3 7 13 18 33 16