Chiefs set themselves a last face- saving target

• Published date: 27 April 2024
• Author: Mihlali Baleka mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za
• Publication title: Independent on Saturday

Sithebe has had a rollercoaster ride at Chiefs in the last two seasons. He’s happy to be playing for his dream club but sad with the team’s poor form

Chiefs are incredibly 10th in the DStv Premiership standings, and their top-eight aspirations are out of their hands as they trail the eighth-placed Chippa United by two points.

Their league form has declined drastically, losing their last three games to Stellenbosch FC, Chippa and Richards Bay – teams they were expected to beat easily.

Chiefs can still save their season by collecting maximum points in their six remaining league games and hope their direct rivals drop points.

Their search for redemption must start today by getting full points when they host SuperSport United at New Peter Mokaba Stadium (5.30pm kick-off).

“Anything can happen. Things can change. We can go to SuperSport and play well. If we can collect full points in these six games, things can change,” midfielder Sithebe said.

But while things have gone pear-shaped for Chiefs in the last nine seasons with no trophies to show for their efforts, Sithebe doesn’t regret joining the club from AmaZulu in 2022.

“When I arrived here, I knew that this was a club I grew up supporting and it’s a big club. It had been my dream to play for this club,” Sithebe, 31, explained.

“I arrived to a lot of experienced players, such as Itumeleng Khune, who had been at the club for some time, so it was easy for me to adapt.

“Last season I managed to play a lot of games. So, the boys were welcoming when I arrived, and that made my adaptation better.”

Things haven’t been easy for Sithebe this season, though. He sustained an injury early in the...