Kaizer Chiefs Arthur Zwane

The Kaizer Chiefs upper hierarchy. Photo: Archives

Chiefs to meet with potential new coach – report

Kaizer Chiefs could reportedly be looking to meet with a new coach who could be brought in to help turn the team’s fortunes around.

Kaizer Chiefs Arthur Zwane

The Kaizer Chiefs upper hierarchy. Photo: Archives

Note: *This is an updated article on the coaching situation at Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs’ topsy turvy 2022/23 season reached its conclusion last month, with the team finishing fifth in the final DStv Premiership standings, following a 1-0 defeat against Cape Town City at FNB Stadium.

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Despite the disappointment of another trophy-less season, coach Arthur Zwane said he felt that he had learned a lot over the course of his first campaign at the helm of a top-flight professional side.

Zwane could be set to receive a lifeline, but he will have to hit the ground running next season, while it’s reported that behind the scenes conversations have sought to provide him with additional support.

According to Soccer Laduma, Chiefs could be open to talk with Young Africans coach Nasreddine Nabi, who could even be considered as a successor to Zwane if it’s decided that Amakhosi need a new head coach.

Well-placed sources in Tanzania apparently told the publication that chiefs could be considering meeting up with Nabi, who has led the Young Africans to the 2022/23 NBC Premier League title and a runners-up finish in the CAF Confederations Cup.

What have Chiefs considered?

According to the latest issue of Soccer Laduma, Molefi Ntseki – who is the Head of Technical and Youth at the club – was one of the coaches considered as an option to work with the senior side to assist Zwane.

A senior role was reportedly turned down, however, with Zwane and Dillon Sheppard ultimately seeing out the season to its conclusion.

Other co-coaching scenarios have apparently also been considered, as well as the possibility of recruiting Sundowns’ Manqoba Mngqithi, but these are not set to materialise.

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The latest report on Chiefs and Zwane. Photo: Twitter

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As reported by SABC Sport last month, though, Chiefs were said to be weighing up coaching changes after a season that has not lived up to expectations, and that has seen no trophies brought to Naturena.

Yet it’s also been reported that after a meeting with management and club bosses last week, it has been decided that Zwane will retain his job… at least for now.

“The meeting sat (last week) Tuesday and after extensive talks, he emerged as the coach and still enjoys the full support of the management. He is safe,” said the source. 

“He understands the job very well. He knows he needs to end the trophy drought and get the team playing attractive football. And he is hopeful that when he has his new signings and gets a few strikers, he will be alright.” 

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The club has used ‘rebuilding’ as an excuse of sorts

Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung has also stated that the club’s rebuilding process could never just be a success overnight. However, he admitted that the season was ultimately still a disappointment.

“Next season we are definitely going to beef up the squad and look at where the challenges were. Football is a journey. It is not an overnight or one-day thing, it is a process and we are on that journey,” he commented in his interview with TimesLive.

“Fifty-three years of Chiefs success is experience that we have had and we know where we are going. We are aware that it has been a disappointing season, but it was a rebuilding season. The experience the coaches and players gathered will help us going forward.”

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