Lucas Radebe details why South Africa needs a winning Kaizer Chiefs

Published on by Joel Oliver, updated on

The Bafana Bafana legend has joined calls to have Amakhosi challenging for titles

Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe is among those who feel Kaizer Chiefs’ struggles are not good for South African football.

Amakhosi have been on a downward spiral in recent years and finished in a lowly 10th position last season, which saw the club move to hire experienced Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Nabi’s reign started with a 2-1 win over Marumo Gallants last weekend and Radebe, a former Chiefs defender, hopes the Glomour Boys return to the top of the tree, as having them winning will translate into good tidings for the whole of South Africa.

Kaizer Chiefs fans
Kaizer Chiefs fans, Image – Kaizer Chiefs

How does Kaizer Chiefs winning help South Africa?

“I mean it shows the magnitude of the impact of the club, not just in South Africa, but in Africa, because it's a big club, and it's important that they do well,” Radebe told SABC.

“They lift up the spirit of the country, just by winning their first game – and not just winning, but I think they played very well – you could see the players they've acquired, [Gaston] Sirino, and all of them.

“They are doing well because they now realise that they're playing for a big brand, and that brand needs to be at the top level.

“When you have teams like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who have done well, Sundowns have set the standard, and we have to live up to that, as Kaizer Chiefs.

'He's like a son to me': Nabi praises Kaizer Chiefs youngster
Nasreddine Nabi – Photo by Kaizer Chiefs

Amakhosi have disappointed in the last nine years

“Because we know how big that brand is and what it does to the community when the team does well.”

Radebe is the latest figure to call for a return to winning ways for Amakhosi, following similar sentiments from Pirates legend Jomo Sono, Cape Town City chairman John Comitis and his TS Galaxy counterpart Tim Sukazi in recent months.

Chiefs are South Africa’s biggest club but fans have been starved of success since they last won the PSL title in 2015. 

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Joel Oliver

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.