Nine successive matches without defeat is the kind of consistency that now provides the self belief that prompts the usually circumspect Steve Komphela to suggest that Kaizer Chiefs might yet steal the Premier Soccer League title from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Komphela is normally adverse to making any kind of prediction, but the coach has strayed from his usual cautious pronouncements to tell reporters that his side have a right to believe in their chances.
His confidence was fuelled by Saturday's home success over Cape Town City, where Ryan Moon's early second-half goal ensured a 1-0 win.
It put Chiefs into second place, four points adrift of Sundowns, albeit having played one match more.
The Amakhosi have nine games left to play, while Sundowns play their 21st game of the 30-match season on Wednesday night at home to Free State Stars in Pretoria.
"There are still many matches to play and many points to play for," Komphela told journalists. "We still have a great opportunity.
"That we are in to challenge for the championship‚ with a difference of four points‚ you can say there's great optimism and hope.
"The only time you can say it's over is when mathematically you can't make it.
"For us this win is a great confidence booster and an indication that we would love to win the championship," he added, "but we still need to dig deep and fight for it.
"We just have to keep our focus‚ take it one game at a time and understand it's only four points," Komphela added. "Anybody who slips is going to be unfortunate."
Chiefs have not won any silverware in the almost three seasons that Komphela has been in charge, although they did win the league title in both 2013 and 2015 under his predecessor Stuart Baxter.