Chiefs is no ordinary team!
On season so far
It has been over two months since we last enjoyed topflight football in the country, but we all know the reasons and therefore respect the fact that lives come first. I see a lot of people are worried that some European leagues have either re-started or are on the verge of doing so, while we don’t even know where we stand. I’m sure you will agree with me that the environment isn’t the same. What our European counterparts are experiencing isn’t the same as what we have to put up with this side or vice versa. For instance, in Europe they don’t have townships like we do here and therefore we are dealing with different challenges. Having said that, I don’t have to go deep into this, but we are still under lockdown and I hope the powers that be will come up with a solution soon. I wish them everything of the best in their decision-making process because it is not going to be easy.
On recommended new signings
There are a lot of people who have been talking about what changes they’d like to see happening at different clubs. It has been happening a lot in recent weeks and I always find it interesting to hear other people’s opinions. Believe it or not, this is a game of opinions otherwise it would be a boring sport. What caught my attention was the list of players that were recommended for Kaizer Chiefs and, rightfully so, but this is the only team I know and therefore I can only talk about them. I respect everyone’s opinion and therefore don’t think I know better than anyone. Having said that, I thought I’d share my views on how things should be done because, as I said, this is the only team I know. Player acquisition is a very, very difficult task that doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t happen because of pressure, competition or wanting to please certain individuals. It is something that has to be thought of and there’s a certain criteria that dictates the signings. I believe that’s always been the case since the inception of the team.
That’s why they’ve been called the Glamour Boys because they don’t just sign everyone and they also went on to win a lot of trophies. When people suggest names for Chiefs, I want them to have a little bit of information and understanding that Kaizer Chiefs isn’t just an ordinary team! I’m not taking anything away from other teams. We have Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns and other big teams that are competing for honours, even in the GladAfrica Championship but, as mentioned earlier, I can only talk about the team that I know. I grew up at Chiefs and that’s the only change room I know because even after my playing career, I continued being part of that team. From what I’ve noticed and experienced over the years, I realised that not just anyone can play for that team. A player can be a star at his club, but that doesn’t mean he will shine at Chiefs. Things are done differently there. Sometimes players relocate from a different province, find themselves in a completely new environment and such things play a role in his progress and need to be taken into consideration. Some players take longer to adapt and adjust to the new environment and that creates a lot of pressure. These things happen when the fundamental elements have been overlooked: the player’s mindset, the character, how does he behave on and off the field and all that. That’s why it is imperative to do a proper analysis of the player before signing him and just because he’s doing well at his current club doesn’t mean he will do well at Chiefs or any other big team. There’s proper screening of the player that needs to take place before his acquisition. He will need time to re-adjust and possibly unlearn a few things before he can get going and that can take time.
Chiefs supporters won’t care about whether you’ve settled into your new team or not, they expect you to perform at the highest level as a new signing. That’s the culture and the norm and it becomes even worse now that the team hasn’t won anything in such a long time. You also need to do a background check on the player to make sure that he’s not only driven by money because, if he is, there’s no desire to don the famous Gold and Black jersey. You need people who are passionate about that jersey and you can’t wear it just because you want to be counted as a former player. Such players never make it at Chiefs. You have to go there full of passion, humility and respect for the badge, the supporters, the chairman, the club, your teammates and everyone associated with that institution. You have a responsibility to put a smile on those people and if you can’t do that, forget it!
Will you be able to handle the pressure that comes with donning that jersey? There are former Chiefs players that aren’t even recognised and acknowledged by the supporters because they didn’t live up to expectations. I have nothing against Bongi Ntuli as a strike, for instance, and I’ve been hearing people talking about him doing well at both Pirates and Chiefs, but he’s been at Sundowns. What happened there? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the boy and proof to that is his record at Platinum Stars and now at AmaZulu FC, where he’s scored almost every goal the club has registered in the league so far this season. Will the poor boy be able to emulate what he’s done at AmaZulu given a chance at a bigger club? Chiefs isn’t just any other team and I’m sure the same can be said about other teams as well. There’s also the issue of competition at a big club. Will you be able to break into the team and maintain your place? Will you start sulking and pointing fingers when game-time isn’t coming your way instead of working hard? Some players play 80% of their team’s games before joining a big club and then only feature in 20% of the new team’s games for the whole season. Do you expect that player to be the same? Is there something to learn from the criteria that would’ve been used?
Once again, not every player can play for big teams. It takes someone who knows Chiefs, not someone who was there for two months or two seasons, but someone who spent decades, to really understand what playing for that team really means. A number of players were signed but never delivered, yet people still don’t seem to learn from that. They still recommend players without any proper research on them. I have played among the greats at Chiefs like the late Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, City Kole, Ntsie Maphike, Rudolf Gardner Seale, Fani Madida, Shane McGregor, Ace Khuse, Chippa Molatedi, the late Samora Khulu, William Shongwe, Brian Baloyi, Thabo Mooki, Cyril Nzama and I’ve also worked with the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumeleng Khune. These are bigname players that were consistently delivering for the team, picking up the pieces whenever the chips were down. I’m not disrespecting anyone because I was never perfect or the best of the best, but I can only share what I know about this club. I made a difference at the club and that I know for a fact. I played my part for this team to be a force to be reckoned with. You can’t play a season or two and think you’re one of the best to have represented Kaizer Chiefs – no, it doesn’t work like that. Anyway, let me end it on that note.
Goodnight, Doctor Khumalo