What are the facts?

While these policies are not an uncommon practice for teams across the league and especially not at a club like Kaizer Chiefs, the Glamour Boys are understood to have updated their policy to enforce stricter measures on their players’ discipline and fitness.

According to an independent Siya source, players enter into these agreements when they sign a contract with the club. Usually, alcohol and substance abuse, club fines and the club rulebook are amongst the documents provided to players.

Facing the media earlier this month, Kaizer Motaung Jr opened up on the problems facing Chiefs amid their eightyear wait to end their trophy drought. One of the key issues highlighted by the club’s Sporting Director is a lack of fitness displayed by their players in seasons gone by, something the club has sought to address in the 2022/23 campaign.

“(We appointed) a different high-performance team, which was addressing a big factor we had before, where our high performance and our fitness and level of intensity wasn’t where we wanted it to be, and those are key factors that comes linking into your game model,” he told Newzroom Afrika.

As a result, the club roped in former University of Pretoria Sports Scientist Muzi Maluleka, who is also an IFBB PRO. The 28-year-old is understood to have increased the intensity of Chiefs’ training since taking over the role in June 2022.

More recently, coach Zwane confirmed that the club has ‘put their foot down’ with regards to discipline over the festive season, revealing that he does not like players who drink and smoke.

“I am the most difficult coach to work with. Discipline comes first with me, and I always remind them that I don’t like players who drink and smoke for many reasons,” Zwane told journalists in January this year.

“I don’t go to parties, even if it is something happening at home. I will show up for one hour and leave for obvious reasons. I am not saying they mustn’t socialise. I am saying a complete footballer needs to know what he wants in his career.”

“There is no time to have 20 friends. You go to Soweto and from Soweto you go to Sandton (if you party). You have to (rather) focus on yourself. It was always going to be difficult for us because this time of the year is the festive season, and a lot of people are thinking about going out.

“We had to put our foot down and say this is how we are going to do it and if we find out you did something, then you are out, and we focus on those who want it most. That is why I am saying it goes down to one thing: discipline,” he said.

While most issues have been dealt with behind closed doors, Chiefs did part ways with Dumisani Zuma last season, soon after releasing a statement that the player was suspended due to ill-discipline, although the nature of his transgressions was not disclosed.

“The club is disappointed to report that Dumsani Zuma has been suspended once again pending an internal disciplinary process,” the club said in an official statement on their social media platforms in May 2022. He parted ways with the Glamour Boys shortly thereafter.