Top-8 permutations: What Kaizer Chiefs need to do to make it

The 2020/21 DStv Premiership season comes to its conclusion on Saturday afternoon and as things stand Kaizer Chiefs find themselves outside the much-coveted top eight.

It has been a season to forget for Chiefs who have even seen a new coach in Gavin Hunt become a causality due to poor league form and being shown the door one year into a three-year deal with the Soweto giants.

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A coach not even being afforded the opportunity to finish his first season at Chiefs paints a perfect picture of just how dire the situation has been at Naturena.

However, after a come-from-behind victory over a stylish Golden Arrows side at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday, Chiefs enter this last round of league fixtures with every chance of cracking into the top-8, in a “smash and grab” type of last-minute entry.

Chiefs have future in their own hands

Results going their way during midweek, which saw their other top-eight rivals all drop points, has afforded Chiefs the luxury of having their future in their own hands as they head into this fixture against TS Galaxy, the current occupants of that eighth position.

Realistically speaking it is a three-horse race between TS Galaxy, Chiefs as well as Baroka FC in 10th place.

What Amakhosi need to do

TS Galaxy find themselves in the driving seat with regards to this race, as their 36 points are three more than the 33 that both the chasing pack of Chiefs and Baroka are currently on.

This means that the mission going into this game is simple for them, just avoid defeat and they maintain their position.

Kaizer Chiefs’ path is also simple. Beat TS Galaxy by a margin that betters that of the game between Baroka and Swallows FC, provided that Baroka emerge victorious in their fixture too.

Should they beat TS Galaxy they could still be denied the top eight position if the Baroka win increases their goal difference, above that of Chiefs.

However, with a difference of five goals, it seems like it will be a difficult task just for Baroka to equal Amakhosi’s goal difference. In that case, a win should just be enough for the Glamour Boys.