The Glamour Boys have gone nine solid seasons without silverware which is frustrating to both their fans and partners.
Kaizer Chiefs, once again, ended up bursting their fans’ bubbles after ticking all the wrong boxes in the just concluded 2023/24 season.
The Glamour Boys had just demoted Arthur Zwane to the assistant coach role working under Molefi Ntseki.
Given Msimango, Ranga Chivaviro, Pule Mmodi, Edson Castillo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Jasond Gonzalez are some of the key players who were brought on board to help the Soweto giants end their trophy drought.
As fate may have it, things didn't work out as anticipated; Ntseki was shown the door while Zwane was demoted back to the club’s academy after just 13 matches into the season – across all competitions.
During the short spell, Amakhosi were controversially dumped out of the MTN8 and looked out of sorts in the league. In the Carling Knockout, the once mighty Amakhosi fell against AmaZulu before it got worse in the Nedbank Cup where they failed to get past second-tier side Milford FC in the Round of 32.
If the fans thought they had seen it all, the worst was to come at the end of the Premier Soccer League campaign when interim coach Cavin Johnson failed to help the Glamour Boys finish in the top eight and ended up 10th, their worst ever finish.
Where did Chiefs get it wrong? Where should they improve ahead of a crucial 2024/25 season?
Same old mistakes in getting the right coach! Ntseki was a disaster in waiting
Mangethe struggled to leave his mark when he was, surprisingly, given the nod at the club after the exit of Stuart Baxter. He was green and needed an experienced head to help him help the Amakhosi sheep sail towards success.
Zwane failed to deliver and lost fans’ faith and at the end, he was demoted to assistant role, with Ntseki the new captain. It was yet another bad move going for someone who, prior to the appointment, had no experience running a big and demanding team with set ambitions.
It was no surprise when Ntseki was chased from the field by irate Chiefs fans on several occasions.
Amakhosi should address this problem by bringing in an experienced coach with a clear structure on how to take the club to the top. Pitso Mosimane and Benni McCarthy are some of the coaches that have been linked to the Soweto giants.
Get working a working structure: Damaged Chiefs will need time to fix
Surely, you can’t get a damaged car on the road by just painting the body when the engine is faulty.
Amakhosi are damaged goods that need a complete overhaul to make them competitive again on all fronts. It means working on the club’s identity on the pitch, and getting the right players who can effectively execute it.
Former Chiefs attacker Khanye junior recently opined that Amakhosi need to do away with up to 13 players who don’t deserve to wear the black and gold jersey.
A coach like Mosimane will come with his team, and if given enough time, he can surely bring glory days back to Naturena.
It is a family business yes, but still it is our business! Motaung children have failed
Kaizer Motaung senior had a good motive when he gave his children the mandate to run the team.
However, it seems they have failed in realizing their father’s dream, always making anonymous decisions that have come to haunt the team. Their core business is to make as much profit as possible at the expense of success on the pitch.
What is the essence of taking their home games away from the FNB Stadium when the team needs a ‘home’ feeling when under pressure?
They made a mistake by promoting from their ranks Zwane, Ntseki and Johnson who failed to live up to expectations. It is obvious they are green and need professional help.
Get the right players: splash the cash
Finally, Chiefs have massive following in the country and their fans have always honoured home games.
Amakhosi have massive endorsements and the cash flow is quite healthy. This is a different world where most of the things are exaggerated. To get value, you have to dig deep into your pocket.
Chiefs, as it stands, have failed to develop good players who can help the team get back to the top. Instead of sticking to someone who has brought the team to its knees, get a player who is ready to bleed for Amakhosi.
