Johannesburg – Like most Kaizer Chiefs fans, the past few weeks have been pensive for Kaizer Motaung as his team approach the final stretch of the Absa Premiership title race.
Motaung, speaking this week, admitted he’s uneasy about Amakhosi sewing up the title, stating the pressure on Stuart Baxter’s team had become more intense with two matches to go.
“You can never be comfortable until you’ve won it for sure. As the saying goes, it’s not over until the fat lady sings,” the Chiefs owner said.
His concerns that Chiefs, who’ve led the standings all season, might still be in danger of faltering at the finishing line could be closer to reality this weekend. Amakhosi are not in action but the team below them, Platinum Stars, could catch up with them on points if they beat Golden Arrows on Saturday.
Chiefs leading only due to goal difference is something which was unimaginable a few weeks ago, but their loss to Ajax Cape Town last week saw Stars narrow the gap at the top to just three points.
Should Stars draw or lose to Arrows this weekend, Chiefs would be left needing a point or two from their remaining two games against SuperSport United a week today and Tuks next Saturday.
Form, however, has eluded Amakhosi lately – in the last six league games, they’ve beaten only Moroka Swallows, even then under controversial circumstances as the Birds were forced to retake a penalty twice, which they eventually missed.
Motaung conceded the last few weeks have been tough as the pressure to deliver a first title in Naturena for eight years told on his team. “We have been under pressure all season, but it’s worse now. We are faced with many challenges at this stage of the season. You’re playing against teams that are fighting for something. Look at Ajax, they are fighting relegation and came into that game very determined. The final lap (of the championship) is always difficult because there are a lot of factors that can determine the outcome of games, like refereeing decisions.”
Likely to compound Chiefs’ problems as they look to bag the R10-million title is the fact that coach Baxter will not be allowed on the bench for the remaining two league fixtures after he was sent off last week. Chiefs confirmed yesterday they won’t appeal the Briton’s sending off, leaving him banished in the stands while assistant Doctor Khumalo barks instructions on the touchline.
Motaung said Baxter’s sending off – supposedly for foul language after an assistant referee had wrongly awarded a throw-in against Chiefs in their Nedbank Cup semi-final with United FC last week – was indicative of the anxiety creeping in at Naturena.
“The way the coach reacted shows that there’s pressure. It was too obvious that the linesman made a wrong call, and there was no need for the coach to react, but because of pressure, he did.”
The Chiefs owner, however, expressed confidence that his team would manage without Baxter on the bench. “It’s no train smash,” he said of the coach’s two-game ban. “He is still going to get involved in day-to-day activities with the team. His absence might have an effect when a key decision has to be made, but I’m confident in Doctor (Khumalo) because he’s very capable.”
Motaung revealed he would have a pep talk with his players this week about the importance of the next two league games. “We usually have a meeting after every match, but after the Ajax game, I was in the dressing room but I elected not to speak. I could see there was a lot of mental fatigue on the players and I didn’t want to add to that. We have travelled a lot in the last two months, so I decided to give them space. But I will have a word with them this week.” – The Star