Doctor Khumalo says goodbye to Chiefs

JOHANNESBURG: For Doctor Khumalo, 50-years-old was the perfect age for him to leave Kaizer Chiefs’ nest and start a new life somewhere else.

Khumalo, who was yesterday announced as Baroka FC’s new technical director for this season in Bramley, Johannesburg, said he now feels that he’s gathered enough experience, which will see him not sinking under pressure outside Naturena.

As Bakgaga’s new technical director, “16 valve” as the football legend is affectionately known, says he’s hoping to avoid a relegation scare similar to the one they survived last season.

Baroka finished in 15th place on the PSL standings, where they were forced to fight their way back into the league via the promotion playoff route to survive the chop.

“The opportunity came at a time where I was looking at where I would like to see myself in the next 10 years or so,” Khumalo said.

“I also gave hints during my stay at Chiefs that this was the kind of job I was looking for. Unfortunately, that post was not yet available, hence I accepted this offer when Baroka approached me.

“I took this opportunity because I believe it will help me grow as an individual in the next five years. I believe that I’m ready for the challenge.”

Khumalo added that parting ways with Amakhosi was not an easy decision for him to make. However, he also stated that it was through the blessing of both Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung and his son and Amakhosi football manager Bobby, that he was able to leave.

“Kaizer Chiefs is the only club that I’ve played for here in South Africa,” Khumalo said.

“Parting ways with them was never easy. However, I still feel that I needed time to grow myself as a brand. I have to commend both the chairman and his son Bobby for a fruitful meeting I had with them before joining (Baroka). They gave me their blessing.

“Me leaving Chiefs, it’s not about proving myself to anybody. If you do that as an individual, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure.

“This is a new challenge for me and if things go well there, and we grow Baroka as a brand as we are all hoping to do, then I won’t go back to Chiefs.”