Extra Time: For the eighth season running, Kaizer Chiefs have gone trophyless, writes Michael Madyira.

Amakhosi’s hopes of finishing the term with something in their hands went up in smoke following elimination from the Nedbank Cup at the hands of old foes Orlando Pirates almost two weeks ago.

To make Amakhosi’s season worse, they will not be in the top three of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) table and that means no participation in CAF club competitions next term.

The Soweto giants now risk ending the campaign outside the top four in the event if they lose their last game against Cape Town City on Saturday.

It will be the conclusion of a season during which coach Arthur Zwane was tasked with leading a rebuilding project at Naturena.

But this being Chiefs, their hard-to-please and ever-demanding fans would not care much that this is a work in progress and expected Zwane to end the long wait for a trophy.

The coach failed to deliver and a section of the supporters even pelted him with missiles after last week’s 1-0 defeat by SuperSport United.

In almost every media interview, Zwane insisted they were on the right track even though their frailties were glaring.

The coach must have learnt brutal lessons after his lightweight signings failed to deliver this season.

If he needs to convince fans that he is the right man for Chiefs, quality players in the mould of Mamelodi Sundowns signings, must arrive at Naturena.

There was no need to get rid of experienced players like Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic who were, however, injury-prone but not spent forces.

Youngsters like Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane were on their own, without big figures to inspire them on the field of play.

Offloading Nigeria international goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi backfired as Itumeleng Khune, Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma took turns in conceding 32 goals in 29 league games.

As the Soweto giants finish the season with nothing to show, it could be an opportunity to reflect and see where they went wrong, then come back stronger next term.

Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane

Image source: Kaizer Chiefs