PSL ROUND-UP: Kaizer Chiefs Miss Chance to Go Third as Sundowns Slip — Title Race Tightens Heading Into 2026
Kaizer Chiefs missed a major opportunity to finish the year in the top three as they were held to a frustrating 0–0 draw by bottom-placed Chippa United, while Mamelodi Sundowns also dropped points in their 1–1 stalemate with Siwelele. The results close off the 2025 calendar year with Orlando Pirates in control at the summit of the Betway Premiership.
Chiefs Fail to Climb to Third Before TS Galaxy Trip
Kaizer Chiefs couldn’t take advantage of Sundowns’ earlier slip, delivering a flat and disjoined display against Chippa United in Gqeberha.
A win would have lifted Amakhosi to third place on 25 points, just one point behind Sundowns, and firmly in the chasing pack. Instead, the draw leaves Chiefs stuck in 5th on 23 points, now needing a strong response in their upcoming final fixture of 2025 against TS Galaxy on Sunday (13:30).
Supporters Furious: Substitutions, Squad Quality and Tactics Slammed
Chiefs fans erupted online after the match, blasting decision-making and questioning the team’s direction:
@Lanc3Beatz: “What did Matlou do to deserve 90 minutes? Why was Ngcobo suddenly a No.10?”
@tsebaie_: “Ngcobo off, Matlou stays? Mmodi starts? We need a new coach, finish.”
@Lindo192405: “Ten years, many coaches, zero trophies. This squad isn’t good enough.”
@Glamourbuoy: “Bring Rhulani. Taking off Velebayi and leaving Vilakazi was nonsense. A draw with Chippa is an insult.”
@Bati_Mbotho: “No identity, no style. Pitso and Riviero are available while we go backwards.”
@SirLebotha: “If we can’t beat bottom-of-the-table teams, we’re going nowhere.”
The message is clear: Sunday’s trip to Galaxy is a pressure match—on the coach, on the players, and on the club’s credibility.
Sundowns Drop Points as Mokoena Sees Red
Earlier in Bloemfontein, Mamelodi Sundowns were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw.
After conceding early to Maliele Vincent Pule, Lebo Mothiba levelled late, but Downs’ hopes of a comeback were dashed when Teboho Mokoena was shown a red card in the 81st minute.
Sundowns end the year on 26 points, still within range of Pirates but far from the convincing form they enjoyed earlier in the season.
Sekhukhune Rise to Third as Race Tightens
Sekhukhune United’s 1–0 win over Magesi moves them to 25 points, taking advantage of Chiefs’ slip to cement themselves in the top three going into January.
Polokwane City also climbed to 23 points after their 2–1 win at Stellenbosch, joining Chiefs in the cluster chasing the top four.
PSL Table – Final Standings of 2025
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando Pirates | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 5 | +13 | 28 |
| 2 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 26 |
| 3 | Sekhukhune United | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 25 |
| 4 | AmaZulu FC | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 12 | +3 | 24 |
| 5 | Kaizer Chiefs | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 23 |
| 6 | Polokwane City | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 23 |
| 7 | Durban City | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 22 |
| 8 | TS Galaxy | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 20 |
| 9 | Richards Bay | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 13 | -2 | 17 |
| 10 | Golden Arrows | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 16 |
| 11 | Siwelele | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 16 |
| 12 | Marumo Gallants | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 15 |
| 13 | Orbit College | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 25 | -13 | 13 |
| 14 | Stellenbosch | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 12 |
| 15 | Magesi | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 19 | -9 | 11 |
| 16 | Chippa United | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 9 |
All Eyes Now on TS Galaxy vs Kaizer Chiefs – Sunday, 13:30
With the year ending in frustration, Chiefs’ final match of 2025 at TS Galaxy is now massive:
A win boosts them back into top-four contention.
A draw or defeat could send the club into the January break under mounting pressure from fans.
The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown in Mbombela.