Chiefs coach stresses importance of ‘discipline’ after Zuma suspension

Kaizer Chiefs recently announced the immediate suspension of midfielder Dumisani Zuma for the second time this season. Without going into details, Chiefs stated that Zuma, this time around, breached the club’s code of conduct.

He was first suspended in November 2021 following his arrest for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

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According to Soccer Laduma, Zuma’s latest suspension comes after he apparently had a “heated altercation with the club’s interim coach Arthur Zwane and was subsequently separated from the rest of the squad who were in training”. 

It’s further stated that Zuma has fallen out of favour with Zwane to such an extent that he is unlikely to feature again under the management of the interim coach.

The report adds: “The insider further revealed that members of Chiefs management were called in to intervene, and they backed the coach, leaving the player in a precarious position.”

Zuma may well have played his last game for Chiefs, and Zwane has spoken out about the perils of ill-discipline.

“Discipline is everything. Discipline doesn’t start on the field, it starts off the field.

“This is not only for Chiefs players, it is for any player. A football career is very short and that is why you have to be focused and disciplined and show passion for the game. There is no way the game can love you, if you don’t love it.”

THE KAIZER CHIEFS STATEMENT ON DUMISANI ZUMA READ AS FOLLOWS:

The Club is disappointed to report that Dumisani Zuma has been suspended once again pending an internal disciplinary process.

Zuma has just returned from a 10-month absence which included him being suspended and undergoing rehabilitation processes. In the turn of events following his return and subsequently scoring in the 1-2 loss to Cape Town City on weekend, Zuma has been found to have transgressed the Club’s code of conduct.

As such, the midfielder will not be included in the squad for Tuesday’s match against Marumo Gallants and will be barred from participating in Club activities until the disciplinary process is concluded.

Kaizer Chiefs welcome Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, 19:30 kickoff.

Kaizer Chiefs statement

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However, the player’s representative, Basia Michaels of QT Sports, hit back at Chiefs following the club’s official statement, saying that she found out about the suspension via social media.

“It’s is very disappointing to find out something this important via Twitter. We haven’t received any formal communication from the Club with regards to what has been said about my client,” Michaels told SABC Sport.