Chiefs scale PSL heights
ALL hail Mzansi’s Premier Soccer League champions!
There is every reason for Kaizer Chiefs and their hordes of supporters and fans to celebrate being crowned the 2014/15 Absa Premiership title holders, even before the trophy is handed over on May 9.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter views it as unprofessional for players to celebrate before the league is concluded, saying the champagne will be on ice, at least for the players, until after the away match to Chippa United.
Give the lads a break, Stuart. A glass of bubbly will do no harm. Unless, perhaps you know something we do not.
After all Amakhosi made history by clinching the title with three matches to spare after emphatically dispatching Polokwane City 4-1 at FNB Stadium to move 15 points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Downs are the holders of the record for a 30-game league season with the 65 points they amassed when they won the league trophy last season, pipping Chiefs to the post.
It is a milestone Chiefs should pass effortlessly even if they drew all three of their remaining fixtures against the Brazilians, BidVest Wits and Chilli Boys.
Sundowns remain potential runners-up because they can still slide down the league table. They are to play the new champs on Wednesday, and thereafter face Platinum Stars, and their two cross-town rivals SuperSport United and Uiniversity of Pretoria respectively.
Expect a no holds-barred match on Wednesday, which will also see other grudge matches involving Wits and Orlando Pirates as they round-up their league programme with the tantalising prospects of annexing the second spot from Downs.
Congratulations are in order as well to captain fantastic, defender Tefu Mashamaite, who played in every minute of Chiefs successful campaign.
Not taking anything away by way of contribution from the entire Chiefs team, the humble Mashamaite was the standout player in Chiefs’ record 19 games unbeaten run, built on the back of an air-tight defence he marshalled.
He attributes teamwork as one of the key factors to their league victory but also the fact that they were undefeated at home and only suffered two losses away.
As Chiefs’ goal difference shows, they have also been sharp upfront, scoring 37 goals so far, two less than Sundowns.
Although the race was by no means close, the turning point was Downs’ 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bloemfontein Celtic two weeks ago, effectively ending their title defence.
Whatever happens in the remaining matches, the curtain is half way from falling and the fat lady is taking a deep breath to hit her last notes to close the one-horse PSL race.