Kaizer Chiefs: 3 reasons Soweto giants could end the season trophyless

Kaizer Chiefs exited a second domestic cup competition at the first time of asking following their elimination from the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday.

Chiefs are the defending champions but did not play like a team ready to retain their trophy and paid the price as Stellenbosch ran them rigged before winning 2-1 and should have won by more.

It means the Soweto giants’ journey ended as soon as it started at the Round of 32 and it is the second time this season when they have been knocked out of a cup competition at the first round and coincidentally by Stellies, who also sent them packing from the Carling Knockout.

Following their elimination, Chiefs are left with two competitions that they can win but they are the toughest of the lot, the PSL and CAF Confederation Cup.

However, there are factors that could work against them in these two competitions, leading to a season without silverware.

Lack of consistency

Consistency is what makes champions but for Chiefs this season, that has not been a part of them. In fact, before the Nedbank Cup loss, Chiefs had put together their best run of results since last August as they had won four straight games in all competitions.

The last time they saw that was at the start of the season when they won four of their first five and drew the other.

In the league, draws with the likes of Marumo Gallants, AmaZulu, Siwelele FC, Chippa United and TS Galaxy left many questions over their preparedness to win the title.

With Orlando Pirates now five points ahead, Chiefs will need a good run of results to keep pace and they have not shown that while in the eight games they have won, only two have been by two or more goals.

Lack of quality in depth

While Chiefs have a big squad, it lacks the quality that can match their title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates.

That puts them behind in the pecking order of title favourites and with AmaZulu, who have 30 points like them, and Sekhukhune United on 29, breathing down their necks, talk of winning the PSL might be a bit premature.

Chiefs did not even finish in the top eight last season and it would be difficult to jump from ninth to first position when you have a Pirates team that has not tasted defeat in their last 12 games, winning 10, and Sundowns who have claimed the last eight titles in a row and added more quality signings in January even if they are not playing well.  

Slim chance in Confederation Cup

Chiefs’ other route to a trophy is through the CAF Confederation Cup but are they among the title contenders? Certainly not.

This is Chiefs’ first appearance in continental football since 2021 and even though they made many signings, competition against established sides on the continent will be tough.

They have already faced some of the best in the competition and came out second best, losing to Al Masry before requiring a late own goal to draw with Zamalek.

With Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, who thrashed Stellenbosch 3-0 last week, Wydad Athletic Club, Zamalek and USM Alger in the competition, do Chiefs stand a better chance against any of them?