Chiefs coach Khumalo refuses to throw in towel in the Diski Challenge title race

Despite being 14 points behind log leaders, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs coach Vela Khumalo has refused to throw the towel in the DStv Diski Challenge title race.

Khumalo and his Chiefs are preparing to jostle their Soweto rival Orlando Pirates in a Diski match on Sunday at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, KwaNdebele.

The Kick-off is set for 12:00 noon, CAT.

Having lost to Pirates at the beginning of the season, Khamalo said they are not gunning for revenge, but they aim to win and chase runaway leaders SuperSport United as they believe Chiefs is still in the title race.

“We are not thinking about revenge. We just have to win this match to keep our title aspirations alive. Chances of winning the league are still there. When we were doing our mathematics, if we win our games, we can still contest for position one. If we win all our games,” explained Khumalo.

“We will have to do business for ourselves, remember we still have to play all the five teams [Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC, AmaZulu, Cape Town City and SuperSport] above us. If we can be consistent, it is possible.”

Chiefs have 10 games remaining which equals 30 points. If they win all their matches, they will finish the campaign with 65 points and hope the teams above them drop points and do not reach 65.

Khumalo’s counterpart at Pirates, Joseph Makhanya, hopes his side will return to winning ways to keep up with the leaders at the top.

Pirates are heading to this match at the back of two draws and a defeat, while Chiefs are on a six-match unbeaten run where they won five and drew once.

However, Khumalo says all that will not count on Sunday when these two Soweto giants face off.

“This one you cannot even start counting that they have not won in three games. It’s Chiefs and Pirates irrespective of it being reserves,” added Khumalo

“We lost against them at the beginning of the season and we do not want to see ourselves losing to them again. There’s pressure. It will be an interesting game.”