Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka has disclosed that the Soweto giants are targeting a second or third place finish in the Absa Premiership in order to seal qualification for continental football.

Chiefs sit in seventh position with 37 points heading into Tuesday night’s game against Golden Arrows, and a massive thirteen points behind log leaders Orlando Pirates on 50 points.

Amakhosi sit a further 10 points off Mamaelodi Sundowns, who are in second, and seven points behind Bidvest Wits, who occupy the third and final Caf spot.

Chiefs can, of course, qualify for the Confederation Cup should they go on to beat TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final, and Maluleka believes that the side should only be judged at the end of the season.

‘As a team, I wouldn’t say we have bounced back yet. On the 18th [of May], we would be able to say ”we are here now and we’ve made it”. There is still a lot of work to be done and the team knows which direction we want to go – it’s a building process, with the coach [Ernst Middendorp] having come in [late last year],’ Maluleka told the Sowetan.

‘The way the coach is managing the team has been unbelievable. For example, [Kabelo] Mahlasela came to the party with immediate effect inasmuch as he wasn’t playing, and the coach made sure he understood his role.

Chiefs will be targeting all three points against Arrows on Tuesday in order to have a chance of reaching their target of finishing in the top three.

‘We want to qualify for Caf, so we have to finish second or third,’ concluded Maluleka.