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Are Chiefs about to implode?

Many - that is except those who swear by the gold and black as well as the "Love and Peace" slogan - expected Kaizer Chiefs to implode at some stage.

Going 19 matches without defeat is no mean feat.

But it had to happen at some stage and Gordon Igesund and his SuperSport charges happened to be those to bring the charging Gautrain to a halt with a 2-0 victory.

Now, what do Chiefs do?

Do they start pressing the panic buttons or do they take a leaf from President Jacob Zuma on the day of the State of the Nation address, go on with life and pretend that nothing major has happened?

The signs were there from the time the league resumed last week. The goalless draw against Bloemfontein that accompanied a lackluster performance, must have served as a warning.

Then Amakhosi huffed and puffed to a slender 2-1 victory over Botswana side Township Rollers in a match they were expected to bury the opposition in an avalanche of goals. One also needs to point out that the winner came three minutes into injury time, saving the Glamour Boys some blushes.

And then boom! The loss!

This result is just a reminder that there are still many twists and turns before the league is decided in May.

But what should be making the defeat even a more bitter pill to swallow for Chiefs fans, is the fact that things are going very well for their bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates - at least for now.

They started 2015 with a hard-fought 2-1 away win at AmaZulu, followed it up with another 2-0 victory over stuttering Platinum Stars, also away.

They then scored a convincing 4-0 win over amateur side Tornado FC in the Nedbank Cup.

The road ahead looks rocky for Chiefs. Besides the Nedbank Cup tie against amateur side Edu Sports FC on Saturday (4-0 win for the Amakhosi), they will travel to Botswana next week for the second leg tie against Rollers.

Then it's back to league action against Ajax Cape Town on March 4 before the big one, the Soweto Derby against Pirates on March 7.

Results from these matches, will show whether Chiefs have indeed imploded or just suffered a blip in their impressive run.

But there are no doubts that the loss has given the chasing pack a glimmer of hope that Amakhosi can still be caught up with.

Bidvest Wits will now fancy their chances even more given their two successive away wins, 2-1 over Maritzburg United a 2-0 victory over the fumbling Moroka Swallows.

These results have seen them slash Chiefs' once massive lead to 10 points. Sundowns are now 13 points behind The Naturena Boys with two games in hand. If only - and if only football was a game of "ifs" and "buts" - we would say Sundowns can cut that lead to seven points should they win their two games in hand.

But how many times have football proved right the old adage about a bird in hand being worth more than the thousands singing in the bush? There are no guarantees that The Brazilians will pocket all the points at their disposal.

Pitso Mosimane has said that all they need do is win all their remaining games. While he has been cautious all along, this week he sounded a bit more confident when he declared that his charges can still defend their league title.

Mosimane and Wits mentor Gavin Hunt, have consistently pointed out that the league was for Chiefs to lose.

So what shall it? Will Chiefs go on and win it or will they be overtaken just like last season?

What do you think?

S’Busiso Mseleku is regarded as one of Africa's leading sports journalists and an authority on football. He has received some of the biggest awards in a career spanning well over 20 years. He is currently City Press Sports Editor.

Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.

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