REVEALED: Why Chiefs are cracking the whip on fitness, discipline

In the middle of last year, Chiefs already made a clear statement about their intent to ensure player conditioning and fitness went to another level when they bolstered their technical team with the addition of Muzi Maluleke.

Maluleke, who holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Pretoria, has previously represented South Africa in the National Teams at U17 and U20 levels. He is also a bodybuilder and one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in SA, while he became the official fitness coach in June 2022.

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In the latest issue of Soccer Laduma, as shared by @RealTshemedi via Twitter, Chiefs “remain hellbent on clamping down on their players’ discipline and fitness”.

Sources have suggested that the decision to enforce stricter measures is aimed at ensuring the club does everything in its power to return to its former glory days after a couple of seasons where a lack of form, fitness and discipline has been as an issue in some player circles.

In addition to the hiring of Maluleke, Chiefs are said to have provided players with stringent fitness progammes during the two-month FIFA World Cup break, while various policies have been put in place to prohibit various forms of smoking.

As part of a clear signal of intent sent by Chiefs to their squad members, coach Arthur Zwane also made it clear that discipline would be expected of players during the festive season.

“Discipline comes first with me, and I always remind them that I don’t like player who drink and smoke for many reason,” Zwane told Soccer Laduma at the start of the year.

Such policies are nothing new, but it does appear that Chiefs are starting to enforce a zero-tolerance approach in some key areas as they look to turn the club’s fortunes around on and off the field.

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Chiefs are currently facing an injury crisis

Despite this talk of Amakhosi updating their team policies, the club will have to negotiate a run of fixtures without the services of a number of key players, some of whom are out of action for several weeks.

“Reeve (Frosler) has gone for an operation so he’s going to be out for at least six weeks,” Zwane commented recently. “Khama (Billiat) has also gone for surgery, as has Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. Cole (Alexander) is still not ready to come back. He started jogging this week.”

Dillan Solomons also dislocated his left shoulder and is only expected to be back in four to six weeks.

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