Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs FC head coach Molefi Ntseki has sent a message to Amakhosi fans ahead of their game against Mamelodi Sundowns FC tomorrow.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki says he fully understands the disappointment of the fans that it has been “too long” without silverware and at some point it has to stop.
Ntseki, who was appointed at the beginning of this term, saw his first foray in the Chiefs dugout with his side shooting blanks against Chippa United on Sunday.
It was a disappointing outing in front of the over 20000 fans who turned up at the Moses Mabhida Stadium as Chiefs never forcefully put the Chilli Boys on the back foot and neither had a shot on target to test Stanley Nwabili in goals.
It was quite clear that Chiefs, despite having Ranga Chivaviro up top and sandwiched by Christian Saile, Mdu Shabalala and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in the diamond shape, it was never enough to penetrate and serve Chivaviro, who was well-marshalled.
It added to the pain of the club that has not won a trophy since 2015, but Ntseki said they are hard at work to end the drought.
“The disappointment has been far too long,” said Ntseki. “We might be looked to be under pressure currently because of the disappointment of our supporters that have been experiencing in the past.
“As I said, the technical team is looking forward to doing their best and to giving back to the supporters. Because when we look at the numbers we had on Sunday, they were looking forward to the team winning this game because we have last won I think a game was in the past seven (five).
“We are fully aware and this is more of a motivation to ask to do well and to make our supporters happy. Because when our supporters are happy, that is when we are able to say we are Love and Peace.”
Interestingly, Chiefs’ last victory was against Chippa on 27 April away.
Their next visit is champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday (15:00), who, unlike Amakhosi, started better, defeating the stubborn Sekhukhune United on Friday.
Sundowns and Chiefs also met early last season in the first round in the third game and Sundowns ran rampage, crushing Chiefs to a 4-0.
“We all know it’s a big game,” said the former Bafana Bafana coach.
“Even our players know it’s a big game and we’re all looking forward to a good performance with good results.
“That’s what is important for us now to say mentally we’re ready and tactically we’re going to work on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents and then look at what our best qualities are.”
In other news, Mamelodi Sundowns FC coach Rulani Mokwena has shared his thoughts on the new look Kaizer Chiefs under coach Molefi Ntseki.
“We have to respect every team, we have to respect all our opponents, and Kaizer Chiefs is no different,” Mokwena told journalists.
“You know the rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and
Mamelodi Sundowns . It’s a big encounter.”
“I don’t think Chiefs, when I look at their game against Chippa [United], are a type of a team to play very open,” he said.
“I think a little bit more conservative than last season, so we got a lot of work to do to try and break them down, to tell you the truth.
“The defensive line of four is very compact, but the one who scores first and earlier will have better possibilities than the game that produces more transitions.”
“From a physical profile, they’ve got enough to hurt you, both in open play and set pieces. It’s a team that’s in the process of improving itself. It does seem to me that, qualitatively, they have improved.”
