Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs fans during the 2019 Telkom Knockout Semi Finals match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on 24 November 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs cup drought to stretch close to five years

The Telkom Knockout defeat to Maritzburg United means Kaizer Chiefs are set to endure another six months without a trophy.

Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs fans during the 2019 Telkom Knockout Semi Finals match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on 24 November 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs run the risk of extending their trophyless run to five years after crashing out of the Telkom Knockout on Sunday.

The Glamour Boys were outclassed by Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat on front of an expectant crowd.

This has seen the Team of Choice book a spot in the final, to be contested against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 14 December.

Last time Kaizer Chiefs won a trophy

Kaizer Chiefs were victorious in the league back in 2015, back when they were headed by former Bafana coach Stuart Baxter.

They were run-away winners on that occasion, opening a 13-point gap on runners-up, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Their start in the current campaign seems to give off the possibility of a similar feat.

Heading into the halfway mark of the season, Chiefs are ten-points clear of the very same Tshwane giants, having notched an impressive haul of nine wins in 11 games.

Their defeat to Maritzburg was only their second in all competitions in a season that has seen them enjoy a resurgence after what was a nightmarish season.

No cups in five years 

Being dumped out of the Telkom Knockout means they have two more trophies to contest, with the crowning moment coming in May 2020 for both.

Their good standing in the lead makes them favourites to clinch the league title, with the Nedbank Cup also on the horizon.

Chiefs fell agonisingly close of glory in the last edition of South Africa’s equivalent of the English FA Cup, losing to first division outfit TS Galaxy in the final. 

They will want to do one better in the 2020 edition of the tournament, set to begin in January.

Regardless of how they fare in both the league and the cup, their cup drought is guaranteed to stretch up to six days before the five-year mark.

The 2014/15 league campaign ended on 15 May 2015 and, should Chiefs not clinch the title at the end of the season, they will be hoping to still be in the running for the Nedbank Cup final, which takes place on 16 May 2020.

The league is their best bet for ending their trophyless spell inside five years, something their fiercest rivals, Orlando Pirates were not able to do.

Chiefs next play Stellenbosch FC in a league game on Wednesday. 

Kick off is at 19:30 (SAST).