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Gordon Igesund: Kaizer Chiefs have edge over Mamelodi Sundowns in Absa Premiership title race

Igesund is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the PSL having won four Premiership titles with four different clubs.

Other coaches that have won four league titles are Pitso Mosimane, Gavin Hunt and the late Ted Dumitru, but Igesund can even boast championship medals won with Manning Rangers and Santos.

Igesund says the superior goal difference Amakhosi have over Sundowns is like an extra point for Ernst Middendorp's side when it comes to the permutations for the last five games.

"You see Sundowns are going to have to possibly win all their games to win the championship," Igesund tells snl24.com/kickoff.

"People think Kaizer Chiefs are only five points in front. Like I can tell you now, they are actually six points in front. The goal difference – eight goals, it's not like one goal. So that's a big advantage with only five games remaining.

"Kaizer Chiefs have to go and lose like two games in a row you know, which is not easy and that means Sundowns have to win all their games.

"Yes, now it's five points [the gap] but officially in my mind it's not five points, it's six points because of the goal difference. Goal difference is the seventh point.

"Chiefs know they are in a position now where in all the games left, if they lose one and draw one and win the rest, they are going to be champions."

2. Gavin Hunt (8) - 2004 Absa Cup (Swallows); 2007
2. Gavin Hunt (8) - 2004 Absa Cup (Swallows); 2007/08 Absa Prem; 2008/09 Absa Prem; 2009/10 Absa Prem; 2012 Nedbank Cup (all SSU); 2016 MTN8; 2016/17 Absa Prem; 2017 TKO (all Wits)
3. Gordon Igesund (7) - 96/97 Castle Prem (Manning
3. Gordon Igesund (7) - 96/97 Castle Prem (Manning Rangers); '00 BP Top 8; 00/01 Prem (both Pirates); 01/02 Prem (Santos); 06/07 Prem; 07 SAA Supa 8 (both Downs); 2014 TKO (SSU)
4. Ted Dumitru (7 trophies) - 97/98 Castle Prem; 9
4. Ted Dumitru (7 trophies) - 97/98 Castle Prem; 98 Bob Save Super Bowl; 98/99 Castle Prem (all Sundowns); 03 Coca Cola Cup; 03/04 Prem; 04 Coca Cola Cup; 04/05 Prem (all Chiefs)
5. Muhsin Ertugral (7) - 2000 Bob Save Super Bowl;
5. Muhsin Ertugral (7) - 2000 Bob Save Super Bowl; 01 BP Top 8; 01 Coca Cola Cup; 01 African Cup Winner’s Cup (all Chiefs); 07 Absa Cup (Ajax CT); 07 TKO; 08 MTN (both Chiefs)
6. Stuart Baxter (5 trophies) - 2012/13 Absa Prem;
6. Stuart Baxter (5 trophies) - 2012/13 Absa Prem; 2013 Nedbank Cup; 2014 MTN8; 2014/15 Absa Prem (all Chiefs); 2016 Nedbank Cup; 2017 Nedbank Cup (both SuperSport)
7. Paul Dolezar (5 trophies) - 1997 Rothmans Cup;
7. Paul Dolezar (5 trophies) - 1997 Rothmans Cup; 1998 Rothmans Cup (both Chiefs); 1999 Rothmans Cup; 1999/00 Castle Prem (both Sundowns); 2005 SAA Supa 8 (Bloem Celtic)
8. Vladimir Vermezovic (3 trophies) - 2009 Telkom
8. Vladimir Vermezovic (3 trophies) - 2009 Telkom Knockout; 2010 Telkom Knockout (both Chiefs); 2014 Nedbank Cup (Pirates)
9. Ruud Krol (3 trophies) - 2010 MTN8; 2010/11 Abs
9. Ruud Krol (3 trophies) - 2010 MTN8; 2010/11 Absa Prem; 2011 Nedbank Cup (all Pirates)
10. Julio Leal (3 trophies) - 2009 Nedbank Cup (Sw
10. Julio Leal (3 trophies) - 2009 Nedbank Cup (Swallows); 2011 MTN8; 2011 Telkom Knockout (both Pirates)
1. Pitso Mosimane (13) - SuperSport: 1 x SAA Supa
1. Pitso Mosimane (13) - SuperSport: 1 x SAA Supa 8; 1 x Absa Cup; Sundowns: 5 x Absa Premiershi; 2 x Nedbank, 2 x TKO; 1 x CAFCL; 1 x Super Cup

Igesund has shared some advice for both teams having been in these situations many times before, even with Moroka Swallows in 2012.

"What these two teams need to do right now is simple, they have to focus on what they're doing themselves. Chiefs have not got to worry with what Sundowns is doing and who Sundowns is playing," he says.

"Sundowns are the ones who know they've got to win. So as we speak right now, Chiefs obviously are the favourites. What Ernst Middendorp needs to do is make sure he keeps the pressure away from his players.

"Also know that Pitso Mosimane can't do anything that he can't control. He can't control what the results are going to be when Chiefs are playing. What he can control is what his results are going to be. All he can do is his best to win the games.

"And there's less pressure on him now because nobody is picking him to win the league with already five points behind and only five games to go. Chiefs are under more pressure because they know they can't afford to slip up.

"So for Chiefs the message is simple – don't care what Sundowns do, even if they win it doesn't make any difference. Because as long as they keep winning, they are going to stay in front.

"It's very difficult for both teams in my opinion. I think Pitso has done a great job. I think Ernst Middendorp has done a great job, and it's going to go down to the wire."

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