Beating Orlando Pirates will mean nothing if Kaizer Chiefs fails to finish in the top eight, Zitha Kwinika calls out his Amakhosi teammates after Nedbank Cup win - 'We know we can’t celebrate for ever'

Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika has urged his teammates to move on from their Nedbank Cup triumph and focus fully on securing a top-eight finish.

While the victory over Orlando Pirates brought joy to the club and supporters, Kwinika emphasised that celebrations must be put aside now.

With only two league games remaining, he believes it’s crucial for Amakhosi to remain focused and treat every match as a final.

The seasoned defender admitted that the challenge ahead won't be easy, especially with Sekhukhune United pushing for continental qualification.

“I’m still happy, still excited because it is something we have all been looking for. It has lifted a bit of weight from us, but we are professionals at the end of the day," said Kwinika, speaking to the club's media team.

"We must celebrate and then look to what is ahead. We still have a job at hand. We know we can’t celebrate forever, but we take this good feeling as the start of better things, and the road to winning more trophies starts this Saturday against Sekhukhune.

“Finishing in the top eight makes a lot of things possible. The Nedbank Cup win gives us even more motivation to make the top eight so that we can recreate the feeling once again. So, the most important game is always the next game.

“Sekhukhune are really doing well for themselves. They deserve respect because their league position is a reflection of how they have been performing. We will have to be at our best because both teams have a lot to play for. They are playing for a CAF spot, and we want a top-eight finish.

“It will be amazing for the Khosi Faithful to come out and support us. Their presence helps us a lot, honestly. We want to win as much for them as ourselves, so their support is a big advantage to us,” he concludes.

Despite struggling for minutes for most of the season, Kwinika has stepped up in the final stretch to help his side during a crucial run.

His return to the starting lineup has been timely, offering defensive stability and experience.

This comes amid swirling reports that coach Nabi could be leaving at the end of the season.

Kwinika’s late-season impact could prove decisive in Chiefs’ push for a top-eight finish.

Chiefs know they must collect at least four points from their final two games to guarantee MTN8 qualification.

The journey begins with a tough fixture against Sekhukhune United, where nothing less than maximum effort will do.