adminKingston Nkhatha’s Kaizer Chiefs have set the record for the highest points tally at the halfway stage of the season since the League was narrowed down to 16 teams in 2002/03.
They have now surpassed their own mark of 36 points set in the first 15 games of the 2003/04 season, on their way to being crowned champions with 63 points under Ted Dumitru.
Amakhosi have also overtaken Orlando Pirates, who had 33 points under Kosta Papic after 15 games during the 2004/05 season, having won nine and drawing six during an unbeaten run which eventually stretched to 17 games.
Pirates eventually finished second to Chiefs that season after Amakhosi managed to avoid defeat in the last 19 league games of that season — also under Dumitru — to finish on 62 points.
Of interest is the fact that Chiefs were four points shy of their current mark at this stage last season, but eventually went on to surrender the title to Mamelodi Sundowns, who managed 10 wins in a row in the home stretch as Amakhosi stammered towards to the finish line.
When Chiefs last won the League (2012/13) they led at the halfway mark with 32 points in Baxter’s first season in charge, with 57 points enough to win the title that year.
Bucs also had 32 points after 15 games in the 2002/03 season when they eventually finished as champions with 61 points. Ajax Cape Town also reached 32 points under Gordon Igesund at the beginning of the 2003/04 season and were runners-up at the end of the campaign.
However, what matters at this stage is that Chiefs have set a new mark after dropping just eight points from the 45 available to date. Baxter’s team is now just 23 away from reaching the title-winning average points tally of 60.
In essence, Amakhosi could finish the season as champions if they take just half of the remaining 45 points still available to play for, and need another 29 points to set a new high of 66 in a 16-team PSL league.
Sundowns’ 65 points last season was the highest that has ever been achieved by any team since the PSL was reduced to 16 teams.
What is so scarring about Chiefs’ incredible start is that they are already just three points away from securing a top 8 place as 40 points is the average points mark that teams have needed to finish 8th in the 16-team PSL era.
It is humorously worth noting that Chiefs already enough points to secure their stay in top-flight football next season, even if they forfeit the other 15 games remaining this term. — KickOff.com
Online Reporter