Kaizer Chiefs' 10-year Trophy Drought: Was Firing Ernst Middendorp The Fatal Mistake?

Oh, how Kaizer Chiefs wish they could turn back the hands of time and return to much happier times in 2020.

Remember 2020? Under the tutelage of German tactician Ernst Middendorp , Kaizer Chiefs spent the majority of the season sitting pretty at the top of the league table and were only derailed after the entire world went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic .

It wasnt pretty football, but it was doing the job. Chiefs were winning games and were challenging for the title. But, despite the team winning, Chiefs fans often took to social media to complain that the club had lost its identity.

When the league went into hiatus that March due to the pandemic, Chiefs needed to win just three of their remaining eight games to win the title. The way they had been playing before the lockdown, Chiefs fans thought it was in the bag.

But, after losing Maluleka on a free transfer, Chiefs only managed to win just two games, and had to watch Mamelodi Sundowns lift a third straight crown. As a result, Middendorp was ruthlessly fired as he was blamed for the capitulation in the title race.