Jessica Motaunghas insisted that Kaizer Chiefs are playing the long game with coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Image: Backpagepix
COMMENT
“Lessons” are seemingly at the heart of the calamity that is Kaizer Chiefs – once a powerhouse in South African football but still the country's most popular club by a country mile. Kaizer Chiefs' marketing director, Jessica Motaung, recently shared her thoughts on why the club grapples with poor results as the team struggles to find their footing in the domestic football arena.
The club is well known for its passionate supporters, who are dealing with another season of upheaval and uncertainty. The club has been trophyless for almost a decade now, and there are faint hopes that Chiefs will change that by winning the 2025 Nedbank Cup. They have reached the semi-finals and will play the winner of the Mamelodi Sundowns versus Sekhukhune United quarter-final, who meet on Friday.
The club finds itself at a crucial crossroads, as fans question the ability of Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi. As things stand now, Chiefs may miss out on a lucrative Betway Premiership Top 8 slot at the end of the season. If this happens, it will be a bitter pill to swallow for Chiefs fans.
Motaung's brothers, Bobby as football manager and Kaizer Junior – the sporting director – are at the helm of the club. They are the ones who hire and fire, holding these administrative positions because they are family of the chairman, the legendary Kaizer Motaung.
The two brothers would have been responsible for Nabi's appointment. Since the coach's appointment last year, Chiefs have accumulated 29 points from 22 league matches this season. It has not proved to be an inspired choice.
Last season, the club finished in 10th place, and after last week's 2-0 defeat by lowly Richards Bay, there are fears Chiefs could suffer the same fate at the end of this season. Chiefs have suffered three defeats in their last five Premiership games, and log points have come at a snail's pace.
In the interview, Jessica Motaung seemed at ease as she suggested the way forward may well be paved with insights gained from recent setbacks.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Image: Backpagepix
“We obviously know that this is a long game,” said Motaung.
"We didn’t get into this thinking we’d have quick results. But certainly, I think the lessons are there.
"The analysis is there. The football team is working well with the coaches to ensure that things that must be addressed, are addressed."
The disturbing part of this comment is that lessons have come to light, although it is not clear who these lessons are for. The club's administrators don’t have the luxury of lessons at this juncture, as it will come at the club's expense and directly affect performance on and off the field.
If the lessons are for the technical staff, the club is guilty of appointing officials who are not fully equipped to lead a team of Kaizer Chiefs' stature. In that case, the technical staff cannot be learning lessons, which the club can ill afford.
They should have had the experience to cope with the situation rather than learn lessons at this crucial juncture.