Khune’s criticism of Chiefs is unfair, says prominent supporter

Kaizer Chiefs supporter Kabelo GP Moumakwe has accused former captain Itumeleng Khune of being too critical of the club’s current players, arguing that the team’s legends should offer guidance rather than publicly undermine the squad.

Chiefs lifted the Toyota Cup on Sunday after defeating Zimbabwean side Scotland FC 1-0 in their final pre-season fixture. However, Khune expressed his disappointment with the performance, highlighting Scotland’s dominance and suggesting that Chiefs were forced to rely on long-ball tactics.

Moumakwe, speaking to KickOff, defended the result and said supporters should celebrate the trophy as the club prepares for the new season.

“We are taking everything this season, we would have loved to play one more pre-season cup maybe in the Eastern Cape, choose our own opponent, before the start of the season so that when we win the MTN8 Cup, it becomes a treble,” Moumakwe tellsKickOff.

“The boys have won us the Toyota Cup, and we don’t care who doesn’t recognize it. Now we are ready for the new season. The likes of Khune are complaining, saying we didn’t play well. They had their time. Now we win, but they are still complaining.

Chiefs are due to begin their league campaign against Kruger United, and Moumakwe believes the club’s new coach should be given time to settle on his preferred starting XI.

He said the Toyota Cup match was an opportunity to assess the squad, rather than an occasion to use every available player, particularly with the opening league fixture approaching.

“The coach should be allowed to coach. Our next match is a league game against Kruger United, so the new coach was trying to find his starting lineup. There is no time to play all your players in the last pre-season match. What is the use of playing players you know very well will not be used against Kruger United?

Moumakwe also criticised former players who, in his view, are too quick to highlight mistakes made by younger members of the squad. He argued that experienced figures associated with Chiefs should speak directly to players and provide constructive advice.

“These legends are unfair to these boys. They have a lot to say, but we used to protect these legends when people said similar things about them. If you see a mistake from a youngster, as a legend, why don’t you go to that particular boy and offer him advice instead of bashing him? During Stuart Baxter’s first stint with Chiefs, we were winning left and right, but we were not playing good football. We relied on set pieces, but we were winning.

Khune, a Chiefs legend, had questioned the manner of the Toyota Cup victory despite the side securing the trophy. His comments came after a match in which Scotland were said to have controlled significant periods and Chiefs struggled to impose their style.

Moumakwe believes the current players should instead receive encouragement as they adapt to the demands of the new season.

“So, the likes of Khune must just be lenient with these boys. They must stop discouraging them. We love them, and we must encourage them.”