Junior Khanye: Kaizer Chiefs’ problems began when Kaizer Motaung stepped back

Kaizer Chiefs’ decline began when chairman Dr Kaizer Motaung withdrew from the club’s day-to-day operations, according to iDiski Times analyst Junior Khanye.

Chiefs have endured a prolonged wait for major silverware, with their most recent league title coming in 2015. Their only trophy since then has been the Nedbank Cup, won two seasons ago after a 10-year drought.

The club has again come under scrutiny this season despite remaining unbeaten in the Betway Premiership. Chiefs have won only three of their eight matches and sit fifth in the league with 24 points.

They were knocked out of the MTN8 in the first round, having returned to the top eight in three seasons. Their latest setback came last weekend, when they lost 1-0 to Zambian side Red Arrows in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary-round tie in Ndola.

That defeat has renewed concerns around the club, but Khanye believes the underlying problems date back further than the current campaign.

He said the people who succeeded Motaung had not been able to match the contribution he made during his period of greater involvement.

“I think Bra K not being involved and stepping back is where problems started because Bra K knows football,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.

“He has done well; he has given people chances and credit to him for creating jobs. But you can tell he has stepped back.

“I think Bobby [Motaung] was there at some point and then now Junior [Kaizer Motaung Jr] and I think that’s where problems started. The players that were signed after Bra K stepped back also contributed and management signing free agents.

“It’s one of the big reasons the team is where it’s at currently. Then you hire coaches that need translators. I mean what happens when there’s an emergency message, he cannot relay it immediately because he needs to go through someone. Then you sign players who couldn’t even make it to Swallows in the NFD.”

Khanye also criticised Chiefs’ management for failing to appoint current Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, saying the club missed an opportunity to bring in a strong authority figure.

“They needed to bring in someone with authority,” he added.

“They made a big mistake by letting Pitso join Bafana Bafana. That was a major mistake. He won three out of three matches with Bafana and look at how the team plays.

“And the national team doesn’t have a long time together but look at the team how plays. It was a big mistake to not go for Pitso.”