CAF president Patrice Motsepe held court on Wednesday, lauding Kaizer Chiefs who are closer to qualifying for the Confederation Cup next season.
Chiefs will face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.
By virtue of being finalists, Chiefs could play in continental football next season should Pirates finish in the top three in the Betway Premiership log.
And with Pirates’ spot all but inevitable as they are gunning for the No 1 spot, Chiefs’ continental qualification is secured according to the boss of African football.
Motsepe, was speaking on the sidelines of CAF’s partnership renewal with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for their major tournaments.
“I am proud to see Kaizer Chiefs. Like I said, SA football requires a successful Chiefs,” Motsepe told the gathering media hounds at the Sandton ICC.
“I am proud of the work that the Motaung family has been doing. And of course, Dr (Kaizer) Motaung is in a class of his own.”
Late drama at Loftus 🤯
Ashley du Preez is the hero 🤩🔥#SSDiski | #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/wqCLcoE2xV
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 13, 2025
Motsepe isn’t saying they are a ‘successful Chiefs’ because that’s been their story since their inception in 1970. No! The club has fallen from grace.
As such, winning the Nedbank Cup could end a disastrous 10-year drought. Hence, that’s also something to look forward to in Durban in two weeks’ time.
But the Motaung family and the team cannot think that’s the only thing to salvage this season – there’s still the top eight spot to play for in the league.
Chiefs are currently holding onto that eighth spot on the log with 31 points, just one ahead of the ninth-placed Chippa United who have two games in hand.
And while they’ll need other teams to take away points from Chippa, after poorly labouring to a stalemate when the two teams last week, Chiefs need to do their part.
They need to gun for nothing other than full points in their last five games to increase their chances of finishing in the Top 8 for the first time in two seasons.
Next Kaizer Chiefs Match!
🏆#BetwayPrem
⚽️Kaizer Chiefs vs. Marumo Gallants
👕First Team
🗓️Saturday 26 April 2025
🏟FNB Stadium
🕞15h00
📺SuperSport 202
🎟R60, Open Tickets: https://t.co/MNaBAFg2TX
📢Please come early!#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/wtgZ0vLLNO— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 23, 2025
That bid will start against Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium on Saturday (3pm) in the return leg of the fixture, having Chiefs won in their last visit to Bloemfontein this season.
On paper, Chiefs – despite their flaws which include an error-prone defence and blunt attack, are favourites going to this encounter.
They have players who can put up a fight on their day and will want the perfect dress rehearsal ahead of the back-to-back Soweto derbies in the league and cup.
But coach Nasreddine Nabi who must have grown more grey hair, due to frustration, since taking over the Chiefs’ job will know that they’ll undermine Gallants at their own risk.
Gallants’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has blown hot and cold since taking over the reins from Dan “Dance” Malesela, but his troops are usually fired up against the big three.
They do not have the deep pockets of Chiefs or squad depth, but their seniors, which include Gabadinho Mhango, always go full steam against the big teams.
And also, having lost to Pirates at Orlando – a stone’s throw away from FNB – Gallants will want to avenge themselves by beating Chiefs at home.
So Chiefs must be warned, and take Motsepe’s compliment which suggests ‘Abuyile Amakhosi (Chiefs Are Back) as motivation in order to ensure they finish in the Top 8!
