Snl24 | ‘With Chiefs fans, if it’s not the coach, it’s the players’

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 28: Supporters during the Toyota Cup 2024 match between Kaizer Chiefs FC and Young Africans at Toyota Stadium on July 28, 2024 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Manning Rangers midfield hard-man Sipho Ndzuzo has pleaded with Kaizer Chiefs fans to refrain from being coaches and support the club.

Ndzuzo, popularly known as ‘Mfundisi’ in his playing days, says the Chiefs faithful do not realise they are the only people who can bring back the glory days at Naturena.

“I grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs, and all people talked about was the Love and Peace,” he recalls, speaking to KickOff.

READ: COUNTDOWN: Just two pieces left in Nabi’s Chiefs puzzle

“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,” says the man who also turned out for Ajax Cape Town.

Ndzuzo adds that as a former footballer, he often found playing against Amakhosi a daunting task. 

“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.

“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 [and ask] if they are really playing a good role in supporting their team.

“Right now, I’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.

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“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.”