Kaizer Chiefs: Broken from top to bottom, but all hope is not lost
Difficult truths?
Kaizer Chiefs have a lot of work to do if they’re going to be legitimate title contenders within the next few campaigns.
Points gap between Kaizer Chiefs and the eventual champions
- 2023-2024: 37 points (more than their total tally of 36)
- 2022-2023: 26 points
- 2021-2022: 18 points
- 2020-2021: 31 points
- 2019-2020: 2 points
- 2018-2019: 20 points
- 2017-2018: 12 points
- 2016-2017: 10 points
- 2015-2016: 25 points
- 2014-2015: N/a (Champions)
Wrong people holding top posts?
Bobby Motaung, Kaizer Motaung Jr and Jessica Motaung have been entrusted with cushy roles within the club by Dr Motaung Sr. Has Mr Motaung Jr achieved the objectives laid down to him as the sporting director of the Kaizer Chiefs football club? If the club isn’t meeting its objectives on the pitch, either those objectives must be modified or the finger of blame must be pointed at those in boardroom positions?
That theory was two years ago and fan sentiments haven’t changed.
Trophy drought
Chiefs fans don’t need to be reminded that the club’s last taste of silverware was the 2014-15 Betway Premiership title. What’s the plan to put that right? There doesn’t seem to be one, in truth, while family members of Dr Motaung continue to enjoy comfortable roles within the framework of one of Africa’s most popular, well-followed, easily marketable and profitable clubs.
It’s not all doom and gloom
The transfer market is characterised by hits and misses, for all clubs. One shining light in Chiefs’ recent recruitment, however, is 22-year-old Rushwin Dortley. The classy central defenders arrived with a big price tag and a big reputation, and he’s delivering. The former Cape Town Spurs man has featured in 16 league encounters this term, underlining his indispensable status at the club. Conditioning coaches will need to be careful to manage Dortley’s minutes to avoid burnout, and when the inevitable dips in form come, technical staff and fans must be patient with him.
More ‘Rushwin Dortley’ type signings in all portions of the pitch and perhaps Chiefs could start ‘cooking’ as Bobby would say.
The harsh reality
The Glamour Boys are 17 points off the title pace with 13 games to go, and Sundowns have a game in hand. Realistically, Nasreddine Nabi’s side will be aiming for a top-eight finish and qualification for next season’s MTN8. 2024-2025 has become another stark reminder of the gulf between Chiefs and Sundowns. The Brazilians have won the league crown for seven years running, in eight of the last nine and nine of the last 11. Is this an acceptable state of affairs for a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ magnitude, status and annual expenditure?
What are the most important changes needing to be made at Kaizer Chiefs?
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