The results of Kaizer Chiefs' coaching instability mixed with experimental appointments is showing its ugly face with Molefi Ntseki having now led AmaKhosi to one of their worst starts at this juncture.
Chiefs have played nine league games pocketing 11 points after losing four and playing two draws and already sit 13 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who have played a game less.
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Irritating for AmaKhosi is the fact that based on points collected at this point they are on a worse footing compared to last season when Arthur Zwane ran the rule and down to their second worst start since they last won silverware in 2015.
Under Zwane last season (2022/23), Chiefs had 14 points from their opening nine league games and went on to finish fifth on 44 points.
Just like what has happened this term, they also came stuck in the semi-finals of the MTN8 last season.
Prior to that, with Stuart Baxter at the helm in his second spell during the 2021/22 season, AmaKhosi had 12 points at the 30% mark of the campaign and finished fifth with 47 points.
How other coaches fared after nine games while in charge of Chiefs:
Gavin Hunt – 2020/21 – 7 points (Chiefs were serving a transfer ban so didn't sign any new players with Hunt at the helm and ultimately finished in position eight with 36 points)
Ernst Middendorp – 2019/20 – 22 points (Chiefs ultimately lost the league on the final day after garnering 57 points but Middendorp was then sacked)
Giovanni Solinas – 2018/19 – 14 points – (ended on 39 points and in ninth place)
Steve Komphela – 2017/18 – 13 points – (ended on 48 points and third place)
Steve Komphela – 2016/17 – 15 points – (ended on 50 points and fourth place)
Steve Komphela – 2015/16 – 14 points – (ended on 46 points and fifth place)
It is predicted that – based on the trends from the last eight seasons – Chiefs will again finish in the top eight but will a distance away from league champions Sundowns.
The projected finish will be fifth place with just under 50 points.
With 21 games remaining, Chiefs still have 63 points to play for and it is expected that they will pocket about 38-41 of those points.
Meanwhile, Chiefs have lost all the seven league matches in which Itumeleng Khune has been the preferred choice between the posts.
This worrying trend started in January against Sekhukhune (1-0), then followed with AmaZulu (4-0), Mamelodi Sundowns (1-0), Moroka Swallows (2-1), Cape Town City (1-0), SuperSport United (1-0), and Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat against City.
Khune has been on the bench in the three league matches that Chiefs have won.
The 36-year-old was given the nod in the absence of first choice Brandon Petersen.
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