Kaizer Chiefs icon Zwane tears into critical legends – ‘Remain humble’

AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane has hit out at former players who keep criticising the current crop of footballers by claiming they are legends of the game.

Zwane, who is considered a Kaizer Chiefs legend, has teared into the ex-pros who are on podcasts every now and then dissecting the performances of players.

The former Chiefs coach, says the so-called legends are so critical to players that it is now affecting their confidence and performances, something he feels needs to change to avoid the footballers having the wrong impression of themselves.

“Why would you want to have a podcast to attack players and to tell people how good you were? Everyone knows how good you were,” Zwane told Soccer Laduma.

Zwane worried by excessive criticism

“Why do you want to remind us? Be a good example. Being a good example is not telling people who you are. People will always remember who you are and what you’ve done. At some point, I didn’t want to worry about it because it’s none of my business.

“But it’s my business because I am in the game and when my players listen to some of the guys talking, the way they attack players and remind people what they’ve done – especially former players – it’s not good,” Zwane added.

Zwane has fired at the former players who he says lack humility and demean current stars instead of showing them the way.

“We know a lot of people who have done great things and they don’t remind people,” he further stated.

Kaizer Chiefs great calls for humility

“But I always tell players that certain things happen for a reason. It’s good that they are happening because they are learning from it. It teaches them not to repeat the same.

“When you are successful, you remain humble and keep your feet on the ground and stay away from all these things. That’s why I try by all means to stay away from being around a lot of former players for those reasons.

“I am not saying former players are bad people. All I am saying is that certain things that are said out there are not good for the game and not good for these (current) players. There are a lot of things we can do better to remind people who we are (as former players) and the contribution we’ve made.”

AmaZulu coach questions ‘legend’ title

Zwane is also not happy at how the title ‘legend’ is now being used to refer to every former player, arguing that it should only be reserved to those who did exceptional things in the game.

“I am not a legend. I am a former player. There are legends in South Africa. Sometimes we need to be able to tell the difference,” said Zwane.

“I am a former player and there are legends. Everyone is a legend now. People play three games and become legends. People win one cup and become legends. We need to get to that level where we understand what a legend is and what have you achieved.”