24 February 2020, by: Leonard Solms

Kaizer Chiefs Nedbank Cup Exit Could be a Blessing

After five years without a trophy, Kaizer Chiefs could certainly have benefitted from a Nedbank Cup victory to ease their supporters’ frustration. However, their last 16 defeat to Highlands Park may end up benefitting them in the league title race.

Chiefs do not have the depth to match the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, both of whom prepared their troops to compete in the CAF Champions League ahead of the start of this season.Amakhosi did not have the busiest of off-season transfer windows, but the signing of Samir Nurković proved a masterstroke.

Leonardo Castro, Lebogang Manyama and Daniel Akpeyi have improved so much that they have just about been as good as new signings.

Nevertheless, when Plan A fails, Chiefs do not have as many backup options to call upon as Mamelodi Sundowns. Given that they are no longer in the Nedbank Cup and can now focus solely on the league, they have more time to focus on getting it right.

Thulani Hlatshwayo suggested that teams are starting to figure out how to nullify Chiefs’ threat going forward. Without the strength in depth that Pitso Mosimane has, Ernst Middendorp will simply have to work with his players to ensure that they keep the element of surprise in their game.

The Nedbank Cup exit has spared them up to three additional fixtures, giving them time to put things right on the training ground.Chiefs have often had to grind out victories in scrappy games such as those against Golden Arrows and Bloemfontein Celtic. With extra energy in their legs compared to Sundowns, Amakhosi may find this easier now that they can focus solely on the league.

Masandawana could have up to nine fixtures in the CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup combined still ahead of them. Even for the strongest of teams, this is bound to take a toll.

Wits, meanwhile, are busy playing catch-up in the league in terms of their fixture list due to their previous CAF Confederation Cup commitments.

Mosimane has often jibed that Chiefs are a “well-rested” team, and although there was an element of mind games in these comments, there was also more than a bit of truth to his claims.

Losing on penalties to Highlands Park may have put a cloud over Kaizer Chiefs, but it is one which could well have a silver lining.

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