No need to panic, Chiefs tell fans
We are quite content with the squad, Motaung says
KAIZER Chiefs are on track for a successful season, says football manager Bobby Motaung. Chiefs fans have questioned the famous club’s signing policy in recent seasons, feeling Amakhosi could have beefed up further after winning the 2012-13 league title.
This especially when sides around them such as last season’s champions Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed Bidvest Wits have been aggressive in the market.
Motaung, as football manager, often finds himself the focus of such gripes. He resisted the temptation to point to Chiefs’ 4-0 MTN8 quarterfinal win against Black Aces at FNB Stadium on Sunday as confirma- tion of Amakhosi’s conservative policy, but said it had strengthened the club’s belief they have a good group of players for 2014-15.
“We’ve had a plan from before the pre-season, and we’re sticking to the plan,” Motaung said yesterday.
“But it was the first game and there’s nothing to write home about. We’re happy we had a good start, but we cannot pre-judge what’s going to happen in the next few games. We are quite content with the squad as it is at the moment, though.
“The season has not even started properly and it’s unfair for fans to start judging or trying to guess. We must tell the fans, we welcome the judging and the pressure. But we have got a business to run, which is football.
“We don’t have to prove anything to them – we have to please them. But we’re asking them to give us a chance, and we need unity from them and to be behind the team as well.
“It’s in our hands – they shouldn’t panic.”
On the field, Amakhosi’s expectant supporters have often zoned in on striker Kingston Nkhatha for special attention. The burly striker – more battering ram than style, and who can miss chances – scored a pearler on the volley on Sun-
‘ We’ve had a plan from before the pre-season, and we’re sticking to the plan
day, though that seems unlikely to silence the boo boys.
“When you’re a good player you will be challenged or criticised so your best can come out,” Motaung said. “And I think he’s been professional enough to put up with that. And he’s enjoying his game now.
“We’ve got a different way of dealing with pressure. Chiefs is a big club. People have expectations. This pressure to buy big players, it’s normal at any big club.
“I mean it’s been there for 44 years, this pressure. I don’t think there’s been a single season where people say, before you even play, ‘It’s going to be a good year’.
“And it’s about you responding and showing your quality. We knew all along why we had Kingston there, we know what he’s capable of – he just needs to be given a chance.”
Motaung said Chiefs expect Siphiwe Tshabalala, with a knee injury, back “in a couple of weeks”, but Bernard Parker, who has had an ankle operation, “is definitely out until September-October”.
The Chiefs manager hinted that the final shape of Amakhosi’s squad, and depth within it, would be a factor on whether the club decides to fill SA’s new second spot in the Caf Champions League.