Amakhosi must win to guarantee themselves MTN8 football

MTN8 qualification will be on the line when Kaizer Chiefs host Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium in the final round of the Betway Premiership season on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Amakhosi are looking to finish a disappointing league campaign on a positive note after winning just one of their last 10 games - a run that has put them in danger of missing out on the Wafa Wafa competition.

A 1-1 draw at Sekhukhune United on 17 May extended their winless streak to eight matches and left Nasreddine Nabi's side level with Chippa United (8th) and Marumo Gallants (10th) on 31 points in ninth place.

However, the Chilli Boys have already completed their season, although the Glamour Boys are also facing competition from Richards Bay (11th) and Magesi (12th), who are one and two points further back respectively.

Rise And Shine were challenging for a top-three berth at one stage, but their form has dropped off alarmingly since the start of February, picking up just two wins in 14 outings.

Phuti Mohafe's side are only two points above Chiefs in seventh position and they could fail to qualify for the MTN8 as well if results don't go their way this weekend.

The Limpopo outfit lost for the third time in five games when they were beaten 2-0 by relegation-threatened Cape Town City on 17 May.

WHAT WAS SAID

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi:

"If you look at the table you will see that the situation is only going to be resolved in the last game of the season.

"But we're going to do everything, we are confident and we are playing at home for the last game. We are going to have our supporters - everyone knows how important it is.

"I want to ask all the fans to come to FNB Stadium next game, we need them, we need their support because the game is very, very [tough]. We need the three points. We need our fans to come in numbers and together we will do it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs - Makabi Lilepo is the in-form man for Amakhosi at the moment after scoring in each of their last three matches.

The 27-year-old DR Congo winger has settled quickly in his new surroundings after making the switch from Valenciennes in January and bagged his sixth goal for Chiefs against Babina Noko most recently, receiving the ball from inside his own half and advancing a long way before curling a shot into the bottom right corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Polokwane City - The goals have really dried up for Rise And Shine and it shows in the standings as they're one of just six teams who have failed to breach the 20 mark.

Even more worrying is that Lebohang Nkaki is their top scorer with four goals, three of which came from the penalty spot.

The 32-year-old centre-back is the only player to have scored in their five outings, with his penalties against SuperSport United and AmaZulu earning them 1-1 draws.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (Last five Betway Premiership meetings)

Matches - 5

Chiefs wins - 2

Polokwane wins - 2

Draws - 1