New Chiefs coach: I expected negativity over my appointment

Molefi Ntseki has made a promise to restore the former glory days at Kaizer Chiefs, with the experienced coach taking over from Arthur Zwane in what came as quite a surprise appointment after former Yanga SC coach Nasreddine Nabi was heavily linked to the post.

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When the appointment of Ntseki became public, many Chiefs fans reacted with shock and dismay, but he has taken all this negativity in his stride.

“It has happened to me since I started coaching 25 years ago as an amateur coach,” he said, as quoted by TimesLive. “There will always be people with their own opinions in terms of how you do things, about your approach and the type of players you use. For the past 25 years I went through this and I was not surprised.

“The most important thing is I have a job to do and that job has to be done to the best of my ability. Also, if my way of having a player-centred approach has worked for me in the past, that is what will definitely work for me in the new position I am in. 

“The same thing happened with Bafana Bafana, so there is nothing new… Maybe it is me being a South African because as South Africans we have little love for ourselves. Hopefully, over time we will outgrow the negativity about ourselves and become a positive nation,” he added.

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Chiefs have set out bold ambitions for the new season

Looking ahead, Ntseki has made it clear that he believes this team can return to its former glory days.

“We’re looking forward to having a strong team that will compete in the league, and if things go well, we’ll see ourselves competing in the Champions League.”

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Amakhosi next head to Botswana for another keenly anticipated clash against Township Rollers on 29 July, at the national stadium in the capital, Gaborone. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The squad will then return home to prepare to host Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, 6 August in the opening match of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign.

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The squad has undergone an effective overhaul

Here is who Chiefs have signed, length of contract, as well as the jersey numbers they will wear:

Given Msimango (four year contract. Jersey number 25)

Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (signed until June 2027. Jersey number 24)

Mduduzi Mdantsane (contract signed until June 2026. Jersey number 3)

Edison Daniel Castillo Garcia (two years with an option for a further one year. Jersey number TBC)

Pule Mmodi (three-year contract. Jersey number 13)

Ranga Chivaviro (two-year deal with a one-year option. Jersey number 7)

Tebogo Potsane (three-year deal. Jersey number TBC)

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