Eric Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Highlands Park at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 08 January 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rival coach tips Kaizer Chiefs for league title
On the halfway stage of the league title chase, KaizerChiefs aresix-pints clear at the top of the league standings.
Eric Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Highlands Park at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 08 January 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Owen da Gama’s Highlands Park may have taken a beating from Kaizer Chiefs, but the former Bafana coach has wished the Soweto giants well in their title pursuit.
Chiefs last won the league – or any trophy for that matter – in 2015, with Englishman Stuart Baxter at the helm.
They now look set to add to their four league titles in the PSL era, having opened up a six-point gap on their closest rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns, courtesy of a 3-0 victory over the Lions of the North, which followed a stalemate by the Tshwane outfit against Bidvest Wits – who are also realistic title contenders.
Da Gama tips Kaizer Chiefs for league title
Da Gama, a former coach of Chiefs’ fiercest rivals Orlando Pirates, believes it would be a good thing for one of the traditional giants of the local game to hoist the big prize aloft in May.
“I always say, if Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates win the league… Sundowns have won it a number of times now, but if one of the Soweto giants do it, it just augurs well for South African football,” Da Gama told KickOff.
“The amount of work that goes into this brand of Kaizer Chiefs is just unbelievable, it’s mind-boggling. So, I definitely think it would be good for South African football [if Chiefs win the league this season].
“I think I can say, hopefully, they have a clean bill of health, and the consistency continues, and I believe the Kaizer Chiefs players have got the mentality to go all the way. And we wish them all the best.”
Owen da Gama
Kaizer Chiefs emerged from a brief slump to brush aside Highlands Park, restoring what a healthy distance between themselves and the defending champions.
The gap had shrunk to just four points, following a spell of two matches where they managed to gather only a single point.
This was after a draw against Maritzburg United in their fixture of 2019, before they began the year on the worst note possible – suffering defeat at the hands of Supersport United at Mbombela Stadium.
A spectacular overhead kick from Erick Mathoho, plus a Leonardo Castro brace ensured that they returned to winning ways, bagging their 12th win in 16 matches.
Their next assignment is another home game, this time against Cape Town City, whom they have already defeated twice in the ongoing season.
The match is on Sunday and kicks off at 15:30 (SAST).
