Willard Katsande has delivered a frank assessment of Kaizer Chiefs FC, identifying a lack of consistency as the primary obstacle to a title challenge. The former midfield general, affectionately known as 'Salt and Pepper', spoke out as the club sits fifth in the Betway Premiership, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Katsande believes the squad list must embrace the club's deep-rooted culture of winning, regardless of performance levels on the day. He stressed that competing with the league's top sides requires a sustained level of performance that has been missing. The veteran argued that winning is fundamental to the club's DNA and a basic expectation from its vast supporter base.
He also directed a message to the players about the privilege of representing an institution with world-class infrastructure and support. Katsande reminded them that the relationship with the club must be one of mutual benefit, where investment is repaid with elite performances and silverware. He challenged the current stars to ensure they are remembered for their contributions when they eventually leave.
Reflecting on his own approach, Katsande said he treated every game as if it were his last due to the intense competition for places. He urged the squad list to adopt a similar mentality and approach each fixture with the determination to secure a result, reinforcing that simply being Kaizer Chiefs is not enough.
Analyst echoes call for stability
Football analyst Uche Anuma agreed with Katsande's core point about consistency but warned that frequent changes in the coaching department are counterproductive to building it. While acknowledging the pressure on the team, Anuma tempered expectations for the current campaign, suggesting that continued poor performances against top sides would make winning trophies this season a difficult task.
The call for improvement comes at a critical juncture. Kaizer Chiefs have taken 14 points from their opening eight league matches, with a record of three wins and five draws. Their recent form shows one win in their last five outings, a sequence that includes three draws. The team faces a massive test of their credentials this weekend with a Soweto Derby away to second-placed Orlando Pirates. The match represents an immediate opportunity for the players to answer Katsande's challenge on the biggest stage.
First reported at Briefly News
