Fortune favoured Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Stellenbosch, and they need to ride their luck as they approach a crucial phase of their season.
An André de Jong header with only four minutes of regulation time remaining, canceled out an Inácio Miguel penalty from the 20th minute, dragging the thousands of Amakhosi faithful in attendance at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium into disbelief. To an extent, it also brought them back to reality, as the semi-final spot they had yearned for threatened to slip away once again.
Agony soon turned into ecstasy as Chiefs found themselves on the right side of a twist of fate that might just set their season up, a refereeing decision playing a significant role in the Glamour Boys securing a 3-1 win over Stellies.
In a season where wins and consistency have been hard to come by for Nasreddine Nabi and his charges, there have also been positives. Their recent victory against Stellies ranks among them, but it will be crucial for them to shake off any Nedbank Cup hangover, as their uphill battle in the Betway Premiership remains a steep one.
Amakhosi will host a Cape Town City side desperate for points in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off). Despite their inconsistent performances, the Glamour Boys still have a firm grip on eighth place. They will be looking to avenge their 1-0 loss to City in the first leg after former Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral took over as City’s coach and technical director.
However, the Turkish mentor has since struggled to string together positive results, with his side now winless in eight matches across all competitions. With Chiefs riding high on two consecutive wins, defender Miguel has urged his teammates not to get carried away, emphasizing that there is still a lot to play for.
“It’s a process; we have to understand as a team that we are building. Just because we’ve won a couple of games, it doesn’t mean we’re suddenly the best,” Miguel said.
“Likewise, when we lose one game, it doesn’t mean we have the worst players. It just means we are in a process, and we don’t need to rush — what’s important is to believe. For me, that is the most crucial thing.”
Amakhosi have shown flashes of brilliance with some impressive performances, but their inability to sustain consistency has forced them to work hard to secure a top-eight finish. Miguel added that the team is making a conscious effort to improve in that area.
“What defines us will be consistency, and that is what we are searching for because the difference between good teams and average teams is consistency.
“If we can maintain that and continue to have a winning mentality, we can climb higher than where we are now. That would mean we are developing and growing.
“Sometimes, it’s about the moment, but the key is to understand that we are slowly getting there, beginning to grasp the coaches’ methods, and understanding each other better.”
Speaking about the challenge ahead against City, the 29-year-old emphasized that Amakhosi must have the hunger to secure their third straight win and not underestimate their opponents, despite their poor run of form.
“When you play Kaizer Chiefs, teams get extra motivated. We need to match that energy and be even more motivated in order to win these games.”
With only three points separating Chiefs from second-placed Stellenbosch, a victory for the Glamour Boys could see them gain ground in the Betway Premiership standings. Although their season has been tough, a possible Nedbank Cup triumph and a third-place league finish are still within reach.