A former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has slammed Kaizer Chiefs supporters for “not being there” for the club during tough times it has gone through in the past decade.
Amakhosi have not won a trophy since 2015 when Stuart Baxter led the team to victory in both the Absa Premiership and MTN8 before departing for opportunities abroad.
They went to a couple of cup finals including MTN8, Telkom Knockout Cup, Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League but has consistently fallen short of victory.
This situation has resulted in mounting pressure and intense criticism from the club's supporters, who have increasingly demanded silverware in recent years.
Former Sundowns midfielder Sipho Ndzuzo has remarked that Chiefs players often take to the field burdened by the expectations of their fans, which adversely affects their performance.
EX-SUNDOWNS MIDFIELDER SLAMS KAIZER CHIEFS SUPPORTERS
“I grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs, and all people talked about was the Love and Peace,” Ndzuzo told KickOff.
“Kaizer Chiefs was supported by many people, simply because of slogans like Love and Peace.
“Hence, anywhere they played, they had support all over the country. But at the moment, there is something wrong with the current Kaizer Chiefs supporters. Back then, they used to be the club's 12th man. They gave their team an extra advantage.
“You wouldn't say you had beaten Chiefs up until the final whistle, but nowadays, you look at the Kaizer Chiefs players, you see too much pressure.
“When they get into the field, they are trembling due to the pressure from their supporters. They are worried about being booed by the people who are supposed to be there for them. It's not easy for them.”
Ndzuzo expresses concern regarding the newly-appointed coach, Nasreddine Nabi, as he believes that the fans lack the necessary support and patience for any coach to effect meaningful change.
He contends that even a highly regarded coach such as Jose Mourinho would struggle to achieve success under these circumstances.
THE WORRY ABOUT NASREDDINE NABI
“As an opponent, you needed to be strong and have mental strength because their supporters kept on cheering them up until the last whistle, just like the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns supporters are doing now. It gives the players courage to rise to the occasion,” he added.
“But Kaizer Chiefs supporters, all they do nowadays is to blame instead of playing their role well. Chiefs supporters need to look at themselves and be honest to themselves land ask] if they are really playing a good role in supporting their team.
“Right now, l'm even worried for Nasreddine Nabi, because with Chiefs fans, if it's not the coach, it's the players. Even Mourinho will never succeed here.
“I'm no longer a Kaizer Chiefs fan, I support Sundowns now, but let me tell you, because of their supporters, Kaizer Chiefs used to win games they were supposed to have lost.
“In my time at Manning Rangers, I don't remember us winning against Kaizer Chiefs. We would be all over Chiefs, but last minute, with the last kick of the game, Chiefs would score a goal. From nowhere.
“That's because their supporters would cheer and encourage them up to the last minute”
