Dillon Sheppard has outlined Kaizer Chiefs’ ambitious target for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Sheppard is convinced that reaching the set goal would rescue the club’s season.
Chiefs missed out on the MTN8 and fell behind in the DStv Premiership title race with the Nedbank Cup the only trophy left to fight for.
The Soweto giants, once dubbed as ‘the Cup Kings of SA football’ are still searching for their first piece of silverware since 2015 when they claimed the league title.
Sheppard admits that the dry spell has taken a toll on the club and its supporters, who have become a laughing stock among SA football lovers.
And for Chiefs to be satisfied they’ve had a good 2022/23 season, Sheppard said they will need to finish second in the DStv Premiership, which will book them a spot in the CAF Champions League.
CHIEFS EAGER TO SEAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT
The Glamour Boys had a fairy-tale run in the Champions League in 2021, reaching the final, where they lost to Al Ahly 3-0 winners in Casablanca, Morocco.
“Once you’ve had a taste of the Champions League in Africa. Going all the way to the final like we did. And have that experience, our talk has always been Champions League,” said Sheppard.
“It has to be the top competition and like you say this club deserves to be there. With the stature of the club and its history; it is our job [to qualify for the Champions League].
“That’s the space we need to be talking in. Yes this cup [Nedbank Cup] gives us an opportunity to play in the Confederations Cup.
“But to be honest with you, we want to be in that Champions League spot. Because like I said once you’ve had a taste of that. And the experience of that I think it’s the only place you want to be,” added the Amakhosi assistant coach.
With eight games left in the league, Chiefs are in fourth place on the log standings with 10 wins. They are five points adrift of SuperSport United in second spot.
Amakhosi will take on Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars in a Nedbank Cup round of 16 game.
The game will be staged at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 12 March with kickoff set for 18:00.