Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe has warned Amakhosi they cannot afford to lose sight of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns this early in the Betway Premiership title race.
Chiefs are currently third on the table after four matches with eight points, two behind second-placed Sundowns and log leaders Pirates.
With the gap still relatively small, Maboe believes Chiefs must maximise their points haul now to ensure they remain within touching distance of the early pace-setters.
“It’s very important to collect points now because come January next year, they’ll be continental football to juggle so that means it’s important to collect as many points as we can now and keep up with the top two teams.
“It’s important that we win our games and that starts with Siwelele on Sunday.”
Chiefs host Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, with the fixture presenting the Glamour Boys with another opportunity to maintain their unbeaten start and put pressure on the teams above them.
For Maboe, the importance of keeping pace with Pirates and Sundowns will become even greater once the demands of continental football are added to the schedule.
The midfielder is also adjusting to the tactical demands of coach Fernando Da Cruz, who has kept him in his familiar position but has asked him to approach the role differently.
“Not much has changed because I’m still playing my position but obviously in a different way because the coach wants us to play in a different way so now it’s about seeing the pictures on the field and see where I need to position myself to be able to exploit our opponents.”
Chiefs will now look to turn their promising start into a sustained challenge at the top, with Maboe identifying Sunday’s clash with Siwelele as the next step in ensuring Amakhosi do not allow the leading duo to pull away.
