Following the recent 80th birthday of founder Kaizer Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs turned 55 yesterday – and son Bobby says the occasions have to be marked with success on the field.
BIRTHDAYS and anniversaries are occasions that should be celebrated in a special way, and Bobby Motaung says Kaizer Chiefs are going to do just that.
Following the recent 80th birthday of founder and chairman Kaizer Motaung, the club turned 55 on January 7 – and son Bobby says the occasions have to be marked with success on the field.
“These are historical moments – the chairman turned 80 not so long ago, and now the club is 55 – and we want to mark them with quality,” Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung said.
“We want to qualify for the (CAF) Champions League and to win the league (Premiership) – it is not far off.
“So, the 55-years celebration is not a day event. It is a season-long event, and there’s going to be achievements. There are just a few challenges that we need to sort out, and with that done, we will achieve things this year.”
As Kaizer Chiefs marks 55 years of glory, we're charting our path to our centenary. Our legacy is woven into South Africa's story, and we remain committed to excellence on and off the field. #KC55 #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/ouNrTUkJkJ
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) January 7, 2025
Many will argue that the league crown is a pipe dream, given how far behind Chiefs are – 15 points – behind leaders and holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race after 11 matches.
Of course, similar leads have been usurped in the past and mathematically, Amakhosi can still win the league.
Realistically, though, and based on Chiefs’ performances, you’d be crazy to bet on the inaugural Betway Premiership title going to Naturena.
Under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Chiefs have flattered to deceive – playing some good, winning football one match, and then resembling a bird without a song the next as they huffed and puffed away against lowly opposition.
Motaung sees things differently, though, and said that the club are fully behind their coach and his players.
“Look, Nabi came to a big club in a country that is very huge. He is a quality coach, and he has got credibility. We are in the process of adjusting to the style he plays, and the players he has got – that collaboration does not come overnight.
“He has a technical team of six people, and they are learning to understand certain aspects of the South African football landscape and to co-ordinate with the team – that also takes patience.
“You need to realise that he came into a team that have not won trophies for so long, and there’s a lot of expectations on him.
“But as a club, we need to support him on certain aspects of player requirements, and understand that there’s also the challenge of players adapting to him and his philosophy.”
Such is the stature of Chiefs, Motaung said, that anyone who joins is under immense pressure to deliver.
“And the question is, are we patient enough to build and support the coach with the right type of players and experience?
“It is not that we have bad players. I think we need more quality players with experience, because if you check the game against Cape Town City (in a 1-0 defeat on Sunday): how many chances did we create?
“In the box, there was this anxiety to win – the players just required some level of calmness and experience to finish off the game. We are just lacking a level of finesse in the finishing, and also in defending.”
To that effect, Motaung stated that Chiefs will be signing about three players to bolster their squad in the current transfer window.
Currently seventh on 15 points, they will continue their league campaign at the FNB Stadium tonight against Stellenbosch FC (7.30pm kick-off).
“Since the coach came in, we have been working with him on the scouting element, to look at what he will require.
“We are going to make one or two or three additions on certain experience and quality. We are still looking for next season, so it is not a question of we are under pressure to sign now and we are done.
“We have been working around the clock to make sure that we get the right experience. And it is a question of what the coach wants, and what the club can afford.
“We are in the football business, not in the business of buying people – because some clubs will tell you they want 50 million (rand) for a player.”
That done, Motaung believes Chiefs will achieve big things to celebrate the chairman’s 80th birthday and the club’s 55th anniversary – and that the league title is not out of reach.
