Kaizer Chiefs have missed out on a top-eight finish for the second successive Betway Premiership season after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Polokwane City at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Amakhosi went into the final day of the 2024/25 campaign needing a win to secure a place in the top half of the table.
However, a combination of missed chances and resolute defending by Rise and Shine saw the Soweto giants fall short, ending the season in ninth place with 32 points from 28 matches — scoring just 25 goals while conceding 32.
Chiefs created several promising opportunities, with Tashreeq Morris firing narrowly wide in the 15th minute before Dillan Solomons unleashed a thunderous strike that cannoned off the upright just five minutes later.
Morris then squandered a glorious rebound chance, much to the dismay of the home supporters.
Polokwane had their moments too, most notably when Surprise Manthosi failed to convert from a promising position in the 35th minute. Chiefs continued to push, with Edmilson Dove’s header brushing the crossbar on the stroke of halftime.
The second half saw Chiefs ramp up the pressure, particularly in the 60th minute when a dangerous cross struck the bar and Lilepo’s close-range effort was saved by Brian Bwire.
Moments later, Yusuf Maart was denied by a goal-line clearance as Chiefs desperately searched for a breakthrough.
In a final roll of the dice, coach Nasreddine Nabi introduced attacking reinforcements in Gaston Sirino and Ranga Chivaviro, but the goal never came.
Polokwane City, on the other hand, secured their spot in the top eight with the hard-earned point, finishing the season on 34 points — a notable achievement in a competitive campaign.
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