‘Kaizer Chiefs Village just like top European club’ – Ex-Chelsea striker in awe of Naturena

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‘Kaizer Chiefs Village just like top European club’ – Ex-Chelsea striker in awe of Naturena
Salomon Kalou touring the Kaizer Chiefs trophy room . Photo - Kaizer Chiefs

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou has expressed his admiration for Kaizer Chiefs which he says is run and managed like a top European club.

Kalou, who says he has been a Chiefs fan since he was young, was on a tour of the Chiefs Village in Naturena where he was taken through the club’s facilities and trophy cabinet.

Salomon Kalou with Kaizer Motaung Sr and Doctor Khumalo. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

The former Ivorian forward also met Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo and chairman Kaizer Motaung Sr and was left in awe of what he saw, reliving memories of his childhood.

Salomon Kalou salutes Doctor Khumalo

“For me to meet Doctor Khumalo it brings me back to my childhood where we were watching the Bafana Bafana in 1996 [AFCON],” Kalou said. “That amazing team when Doctor Khumalo was the maestro of that team.”

“I am happy to visit South Africa. Every time I come here, I have great memories. I came here first time in 2010 for the World Cup and the AFCON in 2013 so I am always happy to come back to South Africa,” added the ex-striker, who revealed that Khumalo inspired him and his brother Bonaventure, when they were growing up.

The 2011-12 UEFA Champions League winner then waxed lyrical about the facilities at Chiefs which he says can only be compared to those found at top clubs in Europe.

Chiefs Village compared to top European club

Salomon Kalou at the Chiefs Village in Naturena. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

“I am truly impressed by the facilities here and the welcome I have received. I have always admired Kaizer Chiefs because they wear the same colours as my former club, ASEC Mimosas,” he said.

“Visiting the Kaizer Chiefs Village is amazing. I am very impressed about the programme, how well they are organised and just like a top European club. It shows that Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest clubs in South Africa but also the whole continent.”

Kalou was in Johannesburg as one of the analysts of Champions League matches on SuperSport TV.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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