Chiefs believe they can challenge Pirates and Sundowns for league title

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe says the club have the squad, experience and coaching structure to compete with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title this season.

Chiefs’ confidence has been strengthened by their 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns a few weeks ago, a result Maboe believes demonstrated that they can match the leading teams in the domestic championship.

The 31-year-old says their experience in the CAF Confederation Cup last season also helped prepare them for the demands of competing at a high level. Although Chiefs failed to reach the knockout stages, Maboe believes the intensity of those matches has benefited the squad.

“We’ve got the squad [to challenge Pirates and Sundowns]. We’ve got the team, we’ve got the coach [Fernando Da Cruz],” Maboe said.

“We need silverware; we want to put smiles on our fans’ faces as well. We also want to leave a legacy… we want to leave the jersey in a better place. If there were any doubts in anyone’s head, I think that performance [against Downs] showed that we are capable.”

Chiefs finished third in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup last season and were eliminated in the group stage. Al Masry of Egypt took second place on goal difference after both clubs finished with 11 points.

Despite that disappointment, Maboe feels the continental campaign gave Chiefs a valuable foundation for their challenge at home.

“I also think that playing in the Confederation Cup always helped a lot in us giving that performance [against Downs] because we are now used to playing at a high-intensity game or level. Confed Cup shaped us to be able to compete at that level,” he said.

Chiefs have made an unbeaten start to their league campaign under new head coach Fernando Da Cruz. They have won two of their opening four matches and drawn the other two.

Their next fixture is against Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30.

Maboe says the squad have responded positively to Da Cruz since he replaced interim co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze at the beginning of the season. The midfielder believes the Frenchman’s different approach and fresh ideas have helped the players settle quickly.

“We’ve adapted very well to our new coach. We were so looking forward to working with him, and I also think hearing like a different voice and new ideas that helped us.”

Chiefs are aiming to add to their league success after a period in which they have been unable to challenge consistently for domestic honours. Maboe says the team’s ambition is not limited to competing with Pirates and Sundowns, but also to delivering trophies and restoring pride among their supporters.

The performance against Sundowns has given Chiefs an early indication that they may be capable of closing the gap on the leading contenders. Maboe now expects the squad to build on that display when they resume their league campaign against Siwelele.

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