Vuyo Mere says Kaizer Chiefs’ MTN8 exit was a major disappointment

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Vuyo Mere says Kaizer Chiefs’ early departure from the MTN8 left him disappointed, particularly after the club’s promising start to the Betway Premiership season.

Kaizer Chiefs returned to the Wafa Wafa competition for the first time in three seasons after finishing third in the league last term. Their campaign ended in the quarter-finals, a result which frustrated supporters and observers including Mere.

The 2026 Wafa Wafa ambassador told iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago that he had expected Amakhosi to challenge for the trophy after watching their initial league performances.

“My sister, this one, you know, I’ve got a soft spot for this team because of the support that they have,” Mere told iDiski Times.

“I think South African football just needs Kaizer Chiefs because we all know the support that they have, and it’s something that, at MTN8, it was going to make a difference to have all the games sold out because we know when Amakhosi is playing, it doesn’t matter where it is, they will fill up the stadium.

“But yes, Amakhosi disappointed me, and they started very well in the league. We saw when they beat Kruger [United] away, and then they beat Sekhukhune [United]. You think that the team is back now, that they’ve got an objective to win something, and then they lost 1-0 to Golden Arrows at home. That was really disappointing for me.”

Chiefs’ cup elimination did not appear to derail their league campaign, however, with the side quickly recovering and extending their unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership.

Mere, who previously worked as an assistant coach at TS Galaxy, said he had been encouraged by the response and by the contribution of players willing to take greater responsibility.

“I think this competition didn’t have an effect on them,” he added.

“I think they just regrouped and decided to move on. I think we should be patient with the team; they are going through a lot. But then I’m just happy with the developments there because the likes of [Lebohang] Maboe and [Siphesihle] Ndlovu, they are raising their hands, and the [Mduduzi] Shabalalas, they are raising their hands.

“So now it’s just a couple of senior guys, I think, that need to come to the party. And I know with even [Brandon] Petersen, he’s a great goalkeeper; he just needs to get this confidence back, and I think they will start doing well.

“He’s one of the stalwarts at Kaizer Chiefs. With such mistakes, he’s going to be a better goalkeeper, and he’s going to grow.”