In a season marred by inconsistency, Kaizer Chiefs have taken another hit in the Betway Premiership, suffering their 10th defeat of the league season with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Golden Arrows on Saturday, March 29, 2025. This latest setback has not only dented their hopes of securing a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup but has also caused them to plummet further in the African club rankings.
As it stands, the Chiefs find themselves precariously positioned in eighth place, with only six points separating them from third-placed Stellenbosch FC. This gap has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, as the team, under the leadership of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, appears to be fighting merely to stay in the Top Eight rather than mount a serious challenge for continental competition.
Nabi, who has experience on the continental stage after leading Young Africans to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in July 2023, expressed disappointment following the loss to Golden Arrows. "We had high hopes of returning to continental football, especially with my experience from last season. But it seems the team is struggling to find its footing," Nabi stated in a post-match interview.
Prior to the match against Golden Arrows, the Chiefs had already slipped to 100th place in the Africa club rankings, as reported by the Footballdatabase website. This drop came after a 2-0 defeat to Richards Bay FC, which further compounded their woes. Following the loss to Arrows, the Chiefs have now fallen to 108th in Africa, a stark contrast to their ambitions of climbing higher.
Despite their struggles, the Chiefs remain eighth in South Africa, but the competition is fierce. Teams like Stellenbosch, TS Galaxy, SuperSport United, and Sekhukhune United currently hold higher rankings, putting pressure on the Soweto giants. TS Galaxy, for instance, dropped to 78th position after a 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants on Sunday, March 30, 2025, while Sekhukhune United stands at 94th after not participating in league matches over the weekend.
In terms of performance, Stellenbosch has maintained a stronger position, only slipping to 46th following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Magesi FC on the same day as the Chiefs' loss. Meanwhile, Andre Arendse's charges, after a goalless draw against Cape Town City, are currently ranked 91st.
The rankings, which reflect a four- to five-year cycle of performance, indicate the challenges facing the Chiefs as they attempt to regain their former glory. Once a powerhouse in South African football, the club's recent performances have led to questions about their strategy and player management moving forward. Mamelodi Sundowns, a dominant force in the league, currently holds the second position in the African rankings, while Orlando Pirates sits at 11th.
As the season progresses, the Chiefs must regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around. With a critical stretch of matches coming up, fans are hoping for a turnaround that could see them regain their footing in both the league and the continental rankings.
In the wake of the latest defeat, the atmosphere around the club is tense. The players are feeling the pressure, and the coaching staff is under scrutiny. Will they be able to rally and secure a spot in the top echelons of South African football? Only time will tell, but for now, the Chiefs must focus on their upcoming fixtures and strive to improve their standing before the season concludes.
