Kaizer Motaung Junior feared Ertugral more than lightning, says Elsa Storm

Kaizer Motaung Junior was prepared to keep running through lightning and torrential rain rather than explain to former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral why he had stopped, according to ex-Amakhosi fitness coach Elsa Storm.

Storm, who spent more than 12 years at Naturena and was nicknamed ‘African Storm’ because of her demanding sessions, recalled the incident in an article published by Algo Sports.

Ertugral was monitoring one group of players at a small stadium at the University of Pretoria while Storm put another group through running drills.

“In Muhsin’s world, running for the sake of running meant punishment. And there we were, just running,” Storm wrote.

When lightning began striking and heavy rain fell, Storm decided the conditions were too dangerous and told the players to find shelter. Motaung Junior, now Kaizer Chiefs’ Sporting Director, stopped with his face soaked.

“There was lightning and pouring rain. I told the guys it was getting dangerous and we should find shelter,” Storm wrote.

“Kaizer Junior stopped, his face soaking wet.

“‘Els, we will rather get killed here together by lightning than telling that coach we not running.’”

Storm added: “I can laugh about it now.”

The story reflects the demanding environment at Kaizer Chiefs during Ertugral’s time in charge. Storm said the coach’s high standards and uncompromising discipline applied to everyone connected with the team.

‘I am waiting!’

Storm also described how she established her authority when she first worked at Naturena. She made history as one of the first women to work as a fitness coach in the male-dominated Premier Soccer League.

“I’ll never forget my first day in the Kaizer Chiefs gym. There I was, a woman on the podium, ready to start with coordination and core work. The room was full of players talking loudly to each other as if I wasn’t there,” she wrote.

After giving the players a few minutes, Storm resorted to “Plan B”. She lowered herself into a push-up and held the position just above the floor. As the silence grew, she shouted: “I am waiting!”

Storm said the moment created a mutual understanding with the players, who thereafter gave everything in her sessions.

She also explained that Ertugral set the tone for both staff and players, leaving her to act as a go-between when his criticism became uncomfortable.

“The head coach sets the atmosphere, the discipline and the gees between the staff and the players. With Muhsin, it was clear what was expected. From all of us. He knew what he wanted and expected those around him to listen, learn and do the work.”

She added: “The players would rather see me get the shouting than get it themselves.”

Storm said a supporter, player and coach could all view the same team differently, depending on their experiences and perspective. Her work at Kaizer Chiefs helped establish her reputation in South African football, and she also worked with Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Cape Town Spurs.