Kaizer Chiefs told not to expect CAF Confederation Cup glory – ‘Everyone needs to be realistic’

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has advised his ex-club against putting too much pressure on themselves during their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

Chiefs are set to kick off group stage action with an away match to Egyptian side Al Masry this weekend and the club has been talking about the need to win the title which they have never lifted in their illustrious history.

However, Ertugral, who won the 2001 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup with Chiefs, thinks it would be suicidal for his ex-club to be thinking about winning the Confederation Cup as the team is still in the rebuilding phase and not ready.

Ertugral calls for patience with Chiefs

“Of course, at Chiefs you are always expected to win things,” Ertugral told Cape Argus. “The history of the club dictates that there is pressure automatically.”

“But, for this one, I think everyone needs to be realistic and not look at winning the competition as the ultimate goal. I would say to the management: ‘don’t put too much pressure on this young team that is being built’,” he added.

Ertugral feels such an approach could actually carry Chiefs to the title as they will be playing without pressure, allowing them to put their best foot forward, just like his team did for the Cup Winners’ Cup 24 years ago.

Why is ex-Amakhosi boss cautious?

“They have a young team that’s trying to find itself, and playing on the continent will help them gain experience. The young boys can make their own story, which will help them grow over the next few years,” Ertugral further said.

“We didn’t start the tournament to win it. We just went out there to play and gain experience. There was no pressure, but in the end, we were champions.

“What this Chiefs team has come through over the last few years, it would not make sense to now put them under pressure and say ‘win the Confed Cup’. I know the fans of Chiefs always expect big things, but they need to be supportive of this team because they are in a tough group.”

Chiefs are in what is considered the ‘Group of Death’ as they have Al Masry, and two-time winners Zamalek as well as Zambian club Zesco United.