As the Betway Premiership season races toward the finish line, Kaizer Chiefs fans are feeling the pressure.

With just two games left on their calendar, the Soweto giants are in a tight spot, sitting outside the coveted Top 8 that qualifies for next season’s MTN8 competition.

And with Royal AM being expelled from the league, every team is now playing only 28 matches this season.

That leaves Amakhosi with just two chances to turn things around—and both matches are against teams currently higher than them on the table.

Two Must-Win Matches Left for Amakhosi

For Kaizer Chiefs to have any shot at making the MTN8 cut, they’ll need to deliver back-to-back strong performances in these final two matches:

Saturday, 17 May: Away vs Sekhukhune United – 15:00
Saturday, 24 May: Home vs Polokwane City – 15:00

It’s not going to be easy, but fans are hoping that coach Nasreddine Nabi can inspire a late surge and snatch a Top 8 finish at the last minute.

Soweto Derby Rivalry Tilts in Orlando Pirates’ Favour

Of course, no conversation about Kaizer Chiefs’ season is complete without comparing them to their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates.

This year, the Buccaneers have already mathematically guaranteed a finish above the Glamour Boys—no matter what happens in the remaining matches.

In fact, Pirates are sitting comfortably in second place with 49 points from 22 games, while the most Chiefs can get to—even if they win both of their last matches—is 36 points.

That puts the Buccaneers not only out of reach, but possibly on track to break a record for the biggest points gap between the two teams in league history.

A Shift in Power Over the Years

Historically, the rivalry has been neck and neck.

In the 28 seasons since the PSL began in 1996, both clubs have finished above one another exactly 14 times each.

But recent trends show Orlando Pirates have taken the upper hand.

In the last seven seasons, Pirates have finished above Chiefs five times.

By the end of this campaign, it’ll be six out of eight.

That kind of consistency shows how far the pendulum has swung in the Buccaneers’ favour.

Past Glory Now Feels Distant

Both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have each won the league title four times during the PSL era, but those triumphs are beginning to feel like distant memories.

Chiefs’ last league win was a decade ago, while Pirates’ last came in the 2011/12 season.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns continue to dominate the scene with 14 titles under their belt—and they’re on track to claim their 15th this year.

Other past champions like SuperSport United, Wits, Santos, and Manning Rangers have all faded from that level of glory, leaving the big names to play catch-up.

Can Chiefs Salvage Something Before the Curtain Closes?

With just two games to go, Kaizer Chiefs need nothing short of perfection—and even that might not be enough.

While their Top 8 fate is still technically in their hands, they’ll need grit, luck, and a lot of heart to claw their way back.

Whether you’re #TeamChiefs or #TeamPirates, one thing is clear—South African football never lacks drama.