Khune urges Chiefs’ senior players to lead as poor run continues

Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has challenged the club’s senior players to take responsibility for the team’s difficult season and help restore confidence within the squad.

The Amakhosi have won only three league matches this campaign and have already been eliminated from both the MTN8 and CAF Confederation Cup. They are currently fifth in the Betway Premiership table after collecting 14 points from eight matches, including five draws.

Speaking on SABC 1’s SoccerZone, Khune said wearing the Kaizer Chiefs shirt carried significant responsibility and insisted the players had to share the burden for the club’s struggles.

The 17-year veteran made 346 senior appearances for Chiefs at Naturena, winning seven major honours, including three league titles, as well as several individual awards.

His comments come amid reports that the club could change its coaching staff only months into Da Cruz’s tenure. Although the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy has publicly backed the coach, Khune believes the players must also accept accountability rather than allowing the manager to carry all the blame.

“We cannot keep hiring and firing coaches,” Khune said.

“Players need to come to the party. Even the players that we have, according to them. I played with some of them. We have quality; they just lack confidence.

“You saw the opportunities that [Asanele] Velebayi got. Thereuyithela ngamanzi (calm down) and just pass the net. It was just a rush of blood. So they find themselves in situations they never found themselves in before.

“The new players that come in need to be introduced to the system. The senior players need to make sure that they tell them that ‘here at Kaizer Chiefs, this is how we do things.’ They need to inspire confidence.”

Khune’s assessment places particular emphasis on the role of experienced players in helping newcomers adapt to the demands of playing for one of South Africa’s biggest clubs. He also pointed to a lack of belief as a factor behind missed opportunities.

Kaizer Chiefs will have an immediate chance to respond when they face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16.

The match will be played at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00. A victory would give the team an opportunity to ease the pressure surrounding the technical team and provide a response to the concerns raised by their former captain.