Nhlapo says Chiefs must rediscover fight to close African gap

Kaizer Chiefs legend Zebulon “Sputla” Nhlapo believes the club’s current squad is showing little concern about the fact that the team still has no star above its badge to mark a Champions League triumph.

The Naturena-based side have fallen behind their domestic rivals in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns have now won the Champions League twice, while Orlando Pirates lifted the Champions Cup in 1995.

Chiefs’ struggles have also extended to domestic competition, with the club finding it difficult even to win the MTN8. Nhlapo says repeated changes in the coaching position have failed to bring about an improvement, leaving him unsure what more can be done.

“We are struggling even to win the MTN8. It’s tough. I don’t know anymore what needs to be done; we replace these coaches with these coaches, nothing changes, ideas seem to be running out,” Nhlapo tells KickOff.

The former Chiefs figure also questioned whether the current players fully understand the responsibility that comes with representing one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs.

“We don’t have players who are willing to play for the Chiefs jersey and badge in our team. We need gifted players, not just good players. Our dignity as Kaizer Chiefs is going down now. Most supporters are no longer happy. Watching Chiefs play has become painful. We no longer enjoy watching our games.

“We love this team, we worked very hard for it to be where it is. So these boys must play and fight for the badge. You don’t choose matches to perform in when playing for Chiefs; every game is a cup final. Home or away, it doesn’t matter.”

Nhlapo pointed to Lebohang Maboe as an example of the attitude he wants to see from the rest of the squad. He believes the midfielder’s commitment should serve as a standard for his team-mates to follow.

“If they can all be like Lebohang Maboe, that boy goes all out. He is playing for the badge. Why are his teammates not learning from him? I doubt the current Chiefs players are even bothered by the fact that the jersey they are wearing doesn’t have even a single Champions League star.

“I don’t think they realise they are under pressure to catch up with rivals Sundowns and Pirates’ success in Africa by winning the Chiefs fans a star to brag about.”

For Nhlapo, the lack of a star above the Kaizer Chiefs badge is more than a symbolic issue. He says it underlines the distance the club must make up on the African stage, while the team’s performances are also increasing frustration among supporters.

The former club legend believes Chiefs players cannot afford to approach matches selectively. Whether playing at home or away, he insists that every fixture must be treated with the intensity and importance of a cup final if the club is to restore its standing and challenge Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates for continental success.