{"id":26484,"date":"2025-09-01T17:19:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T15:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=26484"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:55:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:55:36","slug":"kaizer-chiefs-in-the-psl-title-race-are-they-the-real-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/kaizer-chiefs-in-the-psl-title-race-are-they-the-real-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL Title Race \u2013 Are They the Real Deal?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Kaizer Chiefs have launched the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign with intent, sparking debate about whether Amakhosi are finally ready to mount a serious title challenge. After years of frustration, the Soweto giants seem determined to put their painful past behind them. But with rivals like Mamelodi Sundowns setting the standard, can Chiefs genuinely stay in the title race?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-strong-start-in-the-psl-title-race\">A Strong Start in the PSL Title Race<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chiefs\u2019 early form has exceeded expectations. With 13 points from a possible 15, Amakhosi sit second on the PSL log, just behind Sekhukhune United. Four wins and a hard-fought draw against champions Sundowns have given their fans renewed belief. Even more impressive is the fact that Nasreddine Nabi\u2019s side remain unbeaten and have not conceded a single goal\u2014something unthinkable just a season ago.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"544\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/media.gauteng.net\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756723732.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-26386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756723732.png 544w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1756723732-240x300.png 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Betway Premiership Log Table. Image: SABC Sport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3021769891\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-defence-as-the-foundation\">Defence as the Foundation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If Chiefs are to be true title contenders, their defensive resilience will be the cornerstone. Under Nabi, the Glamour Boys have become one of the most organised sides in the league. Brandon Petersen has been superb between the posts, while Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel have marshalled the backline with authority. Their ability to neutralise Sundowns\u2019 attacking threat highlighted just how far they have come defensively. History shows that in the PSL, teams with the tightest defence often finish at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/kaizer-chiefs-secure-former-sundowns-midfielder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kaizer Chiefs Secure 10th Signing With Former Sundowns Midfielder Maboe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-smart-transfer-business-paying-off\">Smart Transfer Business Paying Off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chiefs\u2019 busy transfer window is already bearing fruit. The club recruited ten new players, addressing key weaknesses across the pitch. Former Orlando Pirates duo Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane have slotted in seamlessly, winning over sceptics. Excitement also surrounds the arrivals of Asanele Velebayi, Luke Baartman, Ethan Chislett, and Etiosa Ighodaro, who bring both depth and flair. These signings have strengthened the squad and created healthy competition for starting spots, a factor that could sustain momentum throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Betway Man of The Match: Paseka Mako<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Amakhosi4Life?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#Amakhosi4Life<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BetwayPrem?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#BetwayPrem<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AlwaysHome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#AlwaysHome<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/e8ggQfqdKi\">pic.twitter.com\/e8ggQfqdKi<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KaizerChiefs\/status\/1961871437737660524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-530451851\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-new-mentality-under-nabi\">A New Mentality Under Nabi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Last season, Chiefs were often accused of lacking mental toughness, dropping points in games they should have won. That narrative seems to be changing. The current squad plays with a \u201cwin-at-all-costs\u201d mentality, pressing high and fighting for every ball. Nabi has instilled a structure that prioritises discipline without sacrificing creativity. This shift in attitude could be the key difference between another mid-table finish and a genuine PSL title run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/chiefs-and-sundowns-settle-for-goalless-draw-in-fnb-showdown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nabi Reflects on Missed Chances After Chiefs\u2019 Draw with Sundowns<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-old-guard-stepping-up\">Old Guard Stepping Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the newcomers have grabbed headlines, the improvement of the existing squad cannot be overlooked. Petersen has been a rock in goal, while Miguel and Kwinika have brought leadership at the back. Youngsters like Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba continue to shine, while Sibongiseni Mthethwa adds steel in midfield. This blend of experienced campaigners and promising youth gives Amakhosi a balanced squad capable of competing across the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mduduzi Shabalala says he knows that  he needs to work harder to be a regular feature in Hugo Broos\u2019 squad.<br><br>Read more \ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffd <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zMxOa2GKC7\">https:\/\/t.co\/zMxOa2GKC7<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0zDl6mra1K\">pic.twitter.com\/0zDl6mra1K<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1961396309157437536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-496749951\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-consistency-will-decide-their-fate\">Consistency Will Decide Their Fate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest question mark over Kaizer Chiefs\u2019 title credentials is consistency. Previous seasons have seen the club start brightly before faltering under pressure. With Sundowns still the dominant force in South African football, Chiefs cannot afford any slip-ups. To truly compete in the PSL title race, they must maintain their defensive solidity and find the cutting edge in attack week after week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kaizer-chiefs-fans-dare-to-dream\">Kaizer Chiefs Fans Dare to Dream<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first time in years, Kaizer Chiefs look like a team capable of going toe-to-toe with Sundowns in the PSL. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/en-za\/lists\/are-kaizer-chiefs-real-premier-soccer-league-title-contenders-after-a-strong-start-to-the-new-season\/blt57f343491e716b9a#cs4fc6905a533e91a2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Their defence<\/a> is unbreachable, their signings have lifted the squad, and their mentality has shifted. The road to glory is long, but Amakhosi fans are daring to dream again. If this momentum continues, the famous gold and black could yet be crowned champions of South African football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/how-kaizer-chiefs-remain-unbeaten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kaizer Chiefs Remain Unbeaten: How Amakhosi  Outclassed Golden Arrows to Claim Three Points<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kaizer Chiefs have launched the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign with intent, sparking debate about whether Amakhosi are finally ready to mount a serious title challenge. After years of frustration, the Soweto giants seem determined to put their painful past behind them. But with rivals like Mamelodi Sundowns setting the standard, can Chiefs genuinely<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":26488,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Kaizer Chiefs have launched the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign with intent, sparking debate about whether Amakhosi are finally ready to mount a...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[296,275,11118,11108],"class_list":{"0":"post-26484","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-betway-premiership","10":"tag-kaizer-chiefs","11":"tag-latest-football-news","12":"tag-latest-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26484"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26489,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484\/revisions\/26489"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}