by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – KAIZER Chiefs, South Africa’s most followed club, is at loggerheads with fans who decry its lack of success in recent times.
The hostility has intensified amid another season of inconsistency, with fans calling on others to boycott the side’s matches and refrain from purchasing its merchandise.
What is hurting Chiefs fans most is the club’s continued lagging behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in terms of on-field success.
“Week in and week out, season after season, we watch mediocre football,” Jack Lesiba, a follower of the club, raised concern.
He believes Chiefs are slowly becoming a mediocre team, and that should concern every Khosi supporter.
Khosi means chief in vernacular.
“South African football increasingly feels like a Pirates and Sundowns League, with everyone else fighting for the scraps and, sadly, Chiefs is slowly becoming part of ‘the rest’,” Lesiba argued.
Over the past nine seasons, Sundowns have won the title eight times, Pirates once.
Sundowns have gone on to win continental and intercontinental competitions and competed at global tournaments, while Pirates are lately the undisputed kings of local cup competitions.
Chiefs are going through a trophy drought, only adding the Nedbank Cup to their cabinet over the past decade.
Jay Monokoane, another supporter, voiced his frustration.
“We are losing hope out here. For some of us, Kaizer Chiefs is the only thing we have ever known and loved! Something needs to happen very soon. We can’t be suffering like this,” he complained.
Vina Maphosa, Chiefs spokesperson, has been responding to fans via social media, assuring them their concerns were being considered.
“Strong message and input you are sharing here. You make us think and urge us to strive for improvement. We are taking these notes seriously and will use this effectively in our quest for success,” he responded to Lesiba.
Former star player Kaizer Motaung is credited with founding Chiefs in 1970 upon his return from a career in the United States.
It gained a large following after winning multiple league and cup competitions, but success has eluded the Soweto-based club in recent years.
Fans have previously responded with violence at stadia, prompting fines from the Premier Soccer League.
The hiring and firing of coaches has not helped.
This season has been another of inconsistency, leaving French-born coach Fernando Cruz under pressure.
Chiefs have exited the MTN 8, whose final Pirates and Sundowns will contest in October, and are already off the pace in the league title race, with the two rivals again top of the standings.
– CAJ News