Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr, has called on the club’s supporters to remain patient as the team strives to improve their current league position. The plea was made during the Soweto Derby press conference at Vodaworld in Midrand on Saturday.
Despite the club having made significant progress in terms of strengthening the team and filtering through players from their development, as well as showing faith in their homegrown coach, Arthur Zwane, results have not been forthcoming on the field. Chiefs have suffered eight defeats in 20 matches, something which has not gone down well with the club’s ardent supporters.
Motaung Jnr pleaded for calm and support from the fans, stating: “We have to create the right environment for our players to thrive. Bringing in the right players, having the proper infrastructure and making the right decisions. Right now, as we stand, we have a young team, we have a new team, and the results are only going to change on Saturday or the week thereafter from the players on the pitch – that’s the situation we find ourselves in right now.”
He continued: “From our side, it’s about planning adequately for the immediate future and making sure that we make the right decisions that will enhance our environment. At the same time, we do ask for some calmness and support from the Amakhosi faithful. We have begun to play a brand of football that our fans can identify with – but it’s got to come with results. We are not under any illusions, it’s a fact. We are going to be judged and held accountable if we don’t deliver that. So, we ask for support from the players, the derby is coming up and look at the young promising faces who are going to go out and give everything they can to make sure that supporters smile and that they are proud of what they see on the pitch.”
Motaung Jnr concluded his plea by stating: “It is tough right now, and it’s in times when things are tough when you see the real character of people. We only ask for support from the fans for the technical staff and the players, when they go onto the field give them the strength they need, and they’ll go out there and do what they need to do.”