Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef isn't interested in the title race drama between Pirates and Sundowns. With Amakhosi sitting third on 48 points, the focus remains strictly on securing a CAF spot and finishing the season strong. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs’ co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef revealed the club are only focused on themselves, stating they don’t care which team wins the Betway Premiership title this season.
Chiefs drew 1-1 with Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on Sunday, remaining third on the log with 48 points. The point earned is precious and could come in handy in their Top 3 ambitions. The Glamour Boys remain five points clear of the fourth-placed AmaZulu, as they chase the CAF Confederation Cup qualifying spot.
For Pirates, however, the two dropped points could be catastrophic in their title aspirations, as they failed to create more breathing space above Mamelodi Sundowns, who still have a game in hand, despite a 0-0 draw against Richards Bay — also on Sunday.
The Sea Robbers remain one point clear of the Brazilians, although the latter still hold the advantage heading into the final stretch of the season.
Chiefs are also scheduled to face Sundowns in a league clash at Loftus Versfeld in Hatfield in early May, which raises the possibility of playing a further role in the championship race. Speaking during the post-match press conference at FNB Stadium, Ben Youssef responded to the outside noise that Chiefs could play a huge role in who lifts the Premiership this season.
“Trust me, we are only thinking about ourselves, performance and the results,” Ben Youssef said.
"We don’t care who wins the league, it’s their problem – not ours. We want to win every game, because like I said, we are taking each game as a cup game.”
He concluded: “Importantly, we want to collect maximum points, and then we’ll see where we finish at the end of the season.”
The Amakhosi’s next match will be away to Siwelele in Bloemfontein on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off). It is a game they will want to win to further consolidate their third-place standing.