Kaizer Chiefs head into midweek action knowing the table could look very different by the final whistle.
Sitting third on 27 points, Amakhosi have a clear shot at climbing into second place when they take on Marumo Gallants on Wednesday, 28 January.
That second spot matters — it’s the gateway to next season’s CAF Champions League.
With Orlando Pirates currently ahead on 29 points and only playing later in the week, Chiefs have the chance to apply real pressure and briefly leapfrog their Soweto rivals.
Pirates Watching From the Sidelines
While Chiefs are in action, Pirates will be forced into spectator mode.
The Buccaneers only play on Saturday, hosting Magesi FC at home.
That delay opens the door for Amakhosi to make a statement first and ask questions later.
A Chiefs win wouldn’t just be about three points — it would be about momentum, belief, and tightening their grip on the title race conversation.
Gallants’ Tough Season So Far
Marumo Gallants, also known as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, haven’t enjoyed the smoothest of campaigns.
Under coach Alexandre Lafitte, the Bloemfontein-based side find themselves 12th on the log, with 15 points collected from 15 matches in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership.
They’ve shown flashes of quality, picking up notable wins against teams like Orlando Pirates and Chippa United, but consistency has been a major issue.
Heavy Losses and Missed Chances
Alongside those highlights have come some painful lows.
Gallants have been on the wrong end of a 2–0 defeat to TS Galaxy and were convincingly beaten 4–0 by Golden Arrows.
Those results underline the unpredictability of a team that can surprise one week and struggle the next.
In knockout football, they came agonisingly close to silverware, reaching the Carling Knockout final before losing 1–0 to Pirates after extra time.
Chiefs’ Season Built on Consistency
Kaizer Chiefs arrive in Bloemfontein with far more stability behind them.
After 14 league matches, they’ve put together an impressive record: seven wins, six draws, and only one loss.
Even more telling is their away form — Amakhosi remain unbeaten on the road.
They’ve scored 14 goals away from home and conceded just six, numbers that underline how difficult they are to break down.
A Solid Defence and Just Enough Firepower
Much of Chiefs’ success has come from defensive discipline.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has been a standout, playing a central role in the team’s 10 clean sheets so far this season.
Going forward, Flavio Silva has led the line with four league goals, while young star Mduduzi Shabalala has chipped in with three goals and an assist, offering creativity and energy in key moments.
A Proper Test in Bloemfontein
Despite Gallants’ struggles, this fixture is far from a formality.
They’ve already shown this season that they can rise to the occasion against bigger teams.
For Chiefs, it’s a test of focus and maturity — the kind of match title-chasing sides are expected to win.
Anything less than full concentration could turn a golden opportunity into a missed one.
More Than Just Three Points on the Line
If Chiefs get the job done, the reward is significant.
They would move above Orlando Pirates and strengthen their push for a Champions League place, sending a clear message to the rest of the league.
As the season begins to take shape, nights like this can define where a team eventually finishes.
For Amakhosi, Wednesday could be a turning point — or a reminder of how tight the margins really are.
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