“Chiefs Struggle Is A Global Phenomenon”
Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mduduzi Shabalala believes the club’s current slump is a worldwide phenomenon, citing Mamelodi Sundowns’ past struggles before finding success under coach Pitso Mosimane.
Chiefs are on course to finish another season without silverware, a far cry from their 2014/15 league and MTN8 double. They currently sit in 10th place on the DStv Premiership table with 30 points after 24 matches.
This pales in comparison to Mamelodi Sundowns, who are 26 points ahead and just six points away from claiming another league title. The gap between the two giants highlights the need for significant improvement at Naturena.
With six games remaining, Chiefs also risk missing out on the top eight for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
“It is just to keep being calm. We know what we are going through,” said Shabalala in the club’s media day at Naturena on Thursday.
“It’s all in your head. Sometimes you need to choose what you want to listen to and what not what you want to listen to. I know I’m a good player but because things are not going my way or our way as a team it doesn’t mean we’re bad players.
“It’s a situation whereby every club can find itself in. If you can check even Mamelodi Sundowns were once in this situation when coach Pitso (Mosimane) was first introduced (in December 2012).”
Shabalala acknowledges the appointment of caretaker coach Cavin Johnson, who took over after Molefi Ntseki’s dismissal in October, hasn’t yielded immediate results. Chiefs have only managed one win so far in 2024.
“It’s something that happens to every team,” continued Shabalala, who showed maturity in his response.
“Even Barcelona (from Spain), they go through the phases. They haven’t been winning the (UEFA) Champions League (since 2015), they have been losing in the quarterfinals (knocked out recently by PSG).
“It’s something that happens to all the teams if you can check Chelsea (in the English Premier League). It’s only us who can change the situation on the field of play without listening to negative energies outside the field, just us focusing on what we are doing.”
Chiefs will be aiming for their second win of 2024 when they host SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (17:30).
Picture courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs
