Lucas Radebe issues ultimatum to Kaizer Chiefs bosses after fan protest

Former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe has commented on the recent fan protests at his former club, Kaizer Chiefs.

The demonstration took place on Saturday morning outside the club’s headquarters, the Chiefs Village in Naturena, Soweto.

A small group of Amakhosi supporters gathered to voice their frustrations, delivering a memorandum of their concerns to the club’s management.

Diakanya Makgato, who led the protest, confirmed to Sunday World that the document was received by club officials Cecil Motaung, Kemiso Motaung, Vina Maphosa, and Tracey Williams.

Lucas Radebe saddened by fan protest

Radebe, who played for the Glamour Boys during a highly-successful era before his move to the English Premier League, shared his perspective on the unfolding events. He expressed his disappointment that the situation has escalated to the point of fans directly confronting the club’s leadership.

“It is sad to see that a club as big as Chiefs has disgruntled fans going as far as protesting at the Chiefs Village. It is something that we have never seen before,” Radebe told Sunday World.

The football legend acknowledged that the club’s past success has set high expectations that are not currently being met.

“But this is what we have brought upon ourselves because we won trophies, we won leagues, and have been a successful club for many years,” he explained. “Obviously, now things are no longer the same, and fans are frustrated.”

Kaizer Chiefs legend sends warning to ex-club

Radebe added: “For them to go as far as they went to raise their grievances to Kaizer himself, it shows another side of the fans… how passionate they are about the game and what they think about the current situation. Kaizer Chiefs is a big team, and obviously, they should be doing better. Hopefully, the march and the message from the fans will get into the ears of Chiefs management, and things will get better.”

Amakhosi are in the midst of a dismal run, having lost their last four consecutive matches across all competitions. This poor form includes a heavy 3-0 defeat to their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates.

The protesting fans are demanding the immediate dismissal of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, wanting them gone before the team’s next match on March 15 against Durban City.

During the protest, supporters were heard chanting the names of potential replacements, including high-profile coaches Pitso Mosimane and Benni McCarthy, as well as club legend Doctor Khumalo.