Kruger United boss fires top 8 warning
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Kruger United sporting director Elasto Kapowezha is optimistic about his club’s ambitions in the 2026/27 domestic season. Photo: Gallo Images
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Kruger United boss fires top 8 warning
Aug 20, 2026 – 03:35 pm
By Sipho Mlotha
Kruger United sporting director Elasto Kapowezha is adamant his team will finish in the Top Eight of the Betway Premiership in their debut season, despite a sluggish start to life in the topflight.
The Bushbuckridge-based side have collected just one point from their first three matches — a 3-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs, a 0-0 draw against Marumo Gallants and a 2-1 defeat to Milford FC. However, Kapowezha insists it is far too early to press the panic button.
Speaking to KickOff, the former PSL star defended his side’s slow start, pointing to the difficulty of opening-round fixtures and the challenges of adapting to topflight football.
“At this stage, we cannot describe the situation as a problem per se; after three games it’s always gonna be difficult for anyone. It’s too early to judge a team,” Kapowezha said.
“It’s too early to start to think there are issues or structural problems within the team. I think we played two away games. We played one home game against Chiefs. We got a point against Marumo Gallants away, and we could have done better against Milford. We can do better. We are disappointed we lost against Milford, but we are not in panic mode. We know we can easily turn it around.”
Kapowezha revealed that Kruger’s ambition is to emulate the remarkable feat of Durban City FC, who in their first season in the topflight finished in the Top Eight, won a major trophy and qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup.
“For us, the objectives are clear: we just want to make sure we are comfortable at the end of the season. We don’t want to be hovering around the danger zone. We want to fight for a Top-Eight finish, but if we don’t, it’s not a train smash. We are aiming to be in the Top Eight,” he added.
“Clubs that were promoted last season, like Durban City FC, ended up in the Top Eight, so if they can, then why not us? We just don’t want to be floating around the bottom four. We are competing for a Top Eight spot. The team is going nowhere. We can’t read too much in the first three games.”
READ | Ex-FIFA Puskas award nominee moves to new PSL club
Ironically, Kruger welcome Durban City — the very side they are modelling their ambitions on — in their next league encounter on Tuesday, in what promises to be a fascinating clash between the newly promoted hopeful and the benchmark for topflight survival.
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