Fredericks: Chiefs were only getting stronger

Stanton Fredericks says Kaizer Chiefs were on course for the Premiership title before the enforced break.

Amakhosi entered the break and 21-day lockdown on top of the Premier Soccer League standings with 48 points from 22 games.

Mamelodi Sundowns though were just four points adrift and having played a game less.

And despite losing at home against Maritzburg United and AmaZulu in recent games, Fredericks explained that every team goes through a slump and Chiefs' has all but ended.

He told the TimesLIVE: "Every team who have won the championship go through a slump. And I think Kaizer Chiefs’ slump was in January."

Fredericks added that positive results for the chasing pack also paints a skewed picture.

"But then I think it looked like they were coming out of it. And there were so many important fixtures," he continued.

"The Tuesday just before the league was stopped‚ Pirates were playing Sundowns‚ and the next day Chiefs were playing Wits.

"Those two days could have painted the picture differently. If Sundowns drew‚ and Chiefs beat Wits‚ you wouldn’t be talking about a slump any more.

"If you look at the bigger picture‚ Kaizer Chiefs were going to win the league. They came out of the slump and it was about how much do you want to win the league."

Fredericks added: "The coaching ability of Ernst Middendorp – and I've only heard good things about his technical and tactical ability from every player I've spoken to who’s played under him – and Shaun Bartlett; and the administration‚ and how much they wanted it.

"And I think three or four matches further and we would have seen Chiefs being champions.

"And that's also taking into account the strength of Sundowns."

- TEAMtalk media