Five things Kaizer Chiefs can learn from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns

0 Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. Image: @KaizerChiefs/X Home » Sport » Soccer » Premier Soccer League » Five things Kaizer Chiefs can learn from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs have watched Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns dominate for over a decade. Here’s how they can turn things around.

0 Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. Image: @KaizerChiefs/X Kaizer Chiefs have underperformed for more than a decade, watching from the sidelines as Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated South African football.

The only major trophy Amakhosi have to show for their recent efforts is the Nedbank Cup, which they won last season. Even then, Chiefs finished outside the top eight in the league campaign.

With 10 coaching changes in the last 11 years, the Glamour Boys have continued to struggle to find the consistency required to compete at the highest level.

Kaizer Chiefs need to identify and sign the best talent available across the continent.

The club must recruit players who fit their style of play and have the quality and adaptability to make an immediate impact in the Premier Soccer League.

Amakhosi have previously missed out on players who later became major stars. Fiston Mayele is one example, with the striker eventually becoming one of the continent’s most prolific forwards.

More recently, players such as Fawaaz Basadien and Oswin Appollis were linked with Chiefs before eventually joining Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates respectively.

Chiefs cannot afford to keep watching their rivals sign players they could have targeted themselves.

The club had an opportunity to bring in Pitso Mosimane when he was available, but that opportunity passed.

Mosimane has an impressive track record, particularly at Sundowns, where he helped establish a dominant era before moving on to other challenges.

If Chiefs want to compete with Sundowns and Pirates, they need a coach with the authority, experience and tactical identity to build a competitive side and maintain consistency.

The club has historically been known for identifying talented players from townships, villages and smaller clubs before turning them into stars.

Orlando Pirates, for example, have shown the value of finding talent outside the traditional spotlight, with players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi emerging after being recruited from KwaZulu-Natal.

Kaizer Chiefs cannot rely solely on promoting players from their DStv Diski Challenge setup. Their academy remains important, but it needs to be complemented by an aggressive scouting network that searches across South Africa and the rest of the continent.

Bobby Motaung played a significant role during some of Chiefs’ most successful years in the 2000s and early 2010s.

As the club’s football structures have evolved, his influence has diminished, with Kaizer Motaung Jr and Jessica Motaung taking on increasingly prominent roles.

However, Motaung’s experience, knowledge of the club and understanding of its identity could still be valuable.

Chiefs need to determine the right structure for their football department and ensure that experienced football minds have a meaningful role in decision-making.

Finally, Chiefs need to reconnect with their supporters. The fans have watched rivals make ambitious signings and challenge for trophies while Amakhosi have struggled for consistency.

Orlando Pirates have demonstrated the impact that targeted recruitment can have. Players such as Oswin Appollis, Lebone Seema and Kamogelo Sebelebele have become important additions as the Buccaneers have strengthened their squad.

Chiefs need to understand what their supporters are demanding and ensure that the club’s football decisions reflect a clear ambition to compete.

If that means restructuring the board, football department or management team, the Motaung family must be prepared to make difficult decisions.

Kaizer Chiefs remain one of the biggest clubs in African football but history and reputation alone will not bring back the glory days.

The club needs better recruitment, stronger scouting, greater coaching stability and decisive leadership if Amakhosi are to close the gap on Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

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