Kaizer Chiefs have officially secured their return to CAF competition. While third place isn't silverware, for an Amakhosi side that finished outside the top eight for two seasons running, it represents a massive step back towards the big time. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
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For a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature, simply qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup should never be celebrated like silverware. But, this season, context matters.
After back-to-back league campaigns spent outside the Top 8, Chiefs securing continental qualification again represents genuine progress — even if there is still plenty of work ahead before they can truly challenge for the biggest honours consistently again.
Amakhosi’s 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Sunday officially secured a Top 3 finish and with it a return to pan-African competition next season in the CAF Confederation Cup. That achievement may not completely erase frustrations supporters have carried over recent years, but it does provide tangible evidence that the club is slowly stabilising again.
What makes the improvement significant is where Chiefs are coming from.
In each of the previous two campaigns, Amakhosi failed to even finish inside the lucrative top half of the elite division — something almost unthinkable for one of the continent’s biggest clubs. There were periods during those seasons where Chiefs looked directionless both tactically and mentally.
This season has at least restored competitiveness.
Chiefs have shown greater resilience in big matches, taken more points off direct rivals and developed an identity built around aggression, physical commitment and transitions rather than simply trying to dominate possession without purpose. That was visible again recently against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, where Chiefs managed to disrupt two of the country’s strongest sides through energy and intensity.
There are still obvious shortcomings.
Chiefs remain well behind Sundowns and Pirates in terms of squad depth, attacking fluidity and consistency across an entire season.
Even their recent run has included frustrating draws and performances where creativity completely disappeared. But progress in football is not always linear. Sometimes improvement comes through becoming difficult to beat again, rebuilding belief inside the squad and restoring minimum standards around the club.
Chiefs appear to finally be doing that.
The importance of CAF qualification also stretches beyond prestige.
Continental football helps attract better players, gives younger talents exposure and raises the overall demands placed on the squad and technical team.
For co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Ben Khalil Youssef — whose futures remain uncertain with contracts expiring at the end of the season — this finish also strengthens the argument that the project is moving in the right direction.
Chiefs are not back at the summit yet. But after two years outside the top eight, returning to continental football is a meaningful step forward.