Attack on Zwane is despicable and unacceptable

TENSIONS on the ramp into the locker-room at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday afternoon reached boiling point as Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane made his way off the field after his side lost 1-0 to SuperSport United.

The outcome meant that Chiefs have missed out on continental football next season and will have to be content with the fact that either Orlando Pirates or SuperSport United will join league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.

It is an outcome that did not sit well with the Amakhosi faithful, and they vented their frustrations in an ugly scene of hooliganism that was utterly unacceptable and must be viewed with the utmost contempt.

Moreover, the maximum punishment for such action must be taken by the PSL when sanctioning the behaviour.

Sure, it was Chiefs’ 11th loss this season and fourth in five games; while the club will end another season without a trophy, but such a reaction cannot be allowed.

During the post-match TV interview there were tell-tale signs that the failing coach Zwane had raised the ire of the fans.

Police, some armed with riot shields, escorted Zwane towards the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms.

When Zwane reached the tunnel, however, objects started raining down and he was struck by a bottle. It was disgraceful behaviour by the fans and a catastrophe that it happened to the coach, once revered as a stand-out Chiefs player.

A crisis of faith has been threatening Chiefs for some time now, but the club's hierarchy has done nothing to halt the club’s slide from grace.

In the light of Saturday's fracas, chairperson Kaizer Motaung – who was once referred to as the eyes and ears of South African football – may have to step in and send his lieutenants packing.