A look at the latest Betway Premiership standings shows that Kaizer Chiefs are currently outside of a MTN8 spot for next season with just two matches remaining.
Considering all sides will now only play 28 matches following Royal AM’s expulsion, Amakhosi only have twofixtures remaining in which to secure a lucrative Top 8 finish.
Both of Amakhosi’s remaining matches are against sides ranked above them in the standings.
One will be a home clash and the other an away assignment.
Saturday, 17 May: Sekhukhune United vs Kaizer Chiefs – 15:00
Saturday, 24 May: Kaizer Chiefs vs Polokwane City – 15:00
Updated Betway Premiership log
Orlando Pirates have beaten Kaizer Chiefs!
Meanwhile, football rivalries in South Africa don’t come any bigger than that between Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
As soon as the league fixtures are announced ahead of any season, fans of both sides are only interested in TWO matches – the derby matches.
In the 28completed PSL top-flight seasons to date since the professional era kicked off in 1996/97, incredibly, Amakhosi and the Buccaneers have each finished higher in the standings than each other on 14 occasions.
The biggest difference in final positions for Kaizer Chiefs ahead of Orlando Pirates is 7 places (2016/17 season), while the biggest difference in positions for Orlando Pirates ahead of Kaizer Chiefs is 8 places (2023/24 season).
Recent form
Recent form has favoured Orlando Pirates – and at the same time illustrated just how far Kaizer Chiefs have fallen.
In the last seven seasons, Orlando Pirates have finished up ahead of Kaizer Chiefs on five occasions.
That stat will officially be updated to six out of the last eight seasons when the current season concludes.
Even if the Glamour Boys win their final two matches, they will pick up a further six points.
That would leave Nasreddine Nabi’s side on 36 points.
Currently, Orlando Pirates are in second place in the log with 49 points after 22 fixtures.
That means it’s mathematically impossible for Amakhosi to finish ahead of their rivals Orlando Pirates.
It’s also a certainty that the Buccaneers will beat the Glamour Boys by a record points margin this season – and maybe even places in the log.
League champions
Both Kaizer Chiefs (2003/04, 2004/05, 2012/13, 2014/15) and Orlando Pirates (2000/02, 2002/03, 2010/11, 2011/12) have been crowned league champions on four occasions to date.
Mamelodi Sundowns lead the way with 14 titles (likely to be 15 come the end of the season), while SuperSport United (3) and Manning Rangers, Santos and Wits (one apiece) are the only other sides to have tasted success.
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