BLOEMFONTEIN – Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has stressed the importance of a quick recovery and the right mindset in the camp following their 2 – 0 defeat to the gutsy Siwelele FC. His side looks to perform well in their four tough remaining Betway Premiership matches. The Amakhosi are still harbouring ambitions of a third-place finish, despite being stunned and caught cold by the resilient Lehlohonolo Seema-led Siwelele in the return league fixture played at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday 29 April.
The hosts scored the decisive goals in the first half, courtesy of Teboho Potsane and Sphesihle Jeza. Chiefs could not recover from the setback in this supercharged fixture, which was reportedly 80% sold out.
The result was highly significant for Seema. His team broke the 30-point mark, guaranteeing their safety in the top-flight league next season. The win propelled them to ninth position on the log with 32 points – putting them among the contenders for an MTN 8 berth.
Team’s ambitions persist
Despite the loss, Chiefs remain in third place, and Kaze emphasised it was crucial to retain the position in line with their ambitions to compete in continental football, in addition to the MTN 8 competition.
“Our main objective is to finish as high as we can in the league. It is true the result against Siwelele put a dent in our ambitions. We need to rise from this setback as we aspire to compete in prestigious competitions and to do well in our remaining league matches,” said Kaze.
The Amakhosi co-coach played down any complacency in the club’s defeat to Siwelele following a seven-match unbeaten streak.
“Complacency was not a factor. We did not have the right mindset from the opening minutes of this game against Siwelele. We committed mistakes, which resulted in transitions by the opponents and them scoring. We did not win a lot of battles. I do not want to make excuses, because there is no excuse – we had been talking about the importance of the right mindset ahead of this game, emphasising that they are good opponents, which they proved,” said Kaze.
A former captain of both Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates, Seema expressed overall satisfaction with the performance of a squad that included a blend of youth from the reserve side.
“Experience has taught me one cannot talk about top-eight competition before reaching the 30-point mark in this league. Now I can confidently say we are gunning for an MTN 8 slot having crossed the 32-point mark, we are smelling blood — and it is nice”.
“Bear in mind, this team finished on 26 points in the relegation last season,” said a jubilant Seema. Siwelele need just nine points from their four remaining games to secure a top-eight slot.
Siwelele’s remaining fixtures:
- 05 May 2026: Siwelele vs Durban City FC (Dr Molemela Stadium);
- 09 May 2026: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Siwelele (Lucas Moripe Stadium);
- 16 May 2026: Siwelele vs Magesi FC (Dr Molemela Stadium);
- 23 May 2026: Sekhukhune United vs Siwelele (New Peter Mokaba Stadium).
Chiefs’ remaining fixtures:
- 06 May 2026: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs (Loftus Versfeld Stadium);
- 10 May 2026: Sekhukhune United vs Kaizer Chiefs (Peter Mokaba Stadium);
- 16 May 2026: AmaZulu FC vs Kaizer Chiefs (Moses Mabhida Stadium);
- 23 May 2026: Kaizer Chiefs vs Chippa United (Moses Mabhida Stadium).
