Struggling Kaizer Chiefs didn’t support Bimenyimana – Nahayo

Talk is rife that he is leaving Kaizer Chiefs to join Wydad Casablanca, ex-Chiefs defender Valery Nahayo argues that the club didn’t support Caleb Bimenyimana.

Nahayo, formerly with Jomo Cosmos in the South African top flight, explores what hampered his fellow countryman’s progress at Chiefs, rubbishing the talk that he failed.

ALSO READ I Exclusive: Nahayo on why Chiefs’ Bimenyimana will grow at Wydad

The 25-year-old striker, Bimenyimana joined Chiefs in August last year and after showing good signs, he fell down the pecking order at Naturena.

NAHAYO: KAIZER CHIEFS DIDN’T SUPPORT BIMENYIMANA

Now based in Belgium and occupied with his coaching badges, the retired hard-tackling defender believes the striker has not failed at Amakhosi but lacked the necessary support.

ALSO READ I “We hurt him”: Pirates fans not surprised by Dzvukamanja’s exit

He exclusively shared his views with The South African, saying there could have been issues with the technical staff while also not ruling out injury woes.

“He didn’t fail at Chiefs, after scoring how many games and goals? I think he played more than 50% of the matches and like I said before, he deserved a second chance at Chiefs,” said Nahayo.

ALSO READ I Kaizer Chiefs considering two concrete offers for Bimenyimana

“A player can drop his performance because of various reasons. I think if you look at how he started, you can assess that injuries contributed to his fall and hampered his progress.

“There is no better striker than him at Chiefs. He scored when he was needed, I want to believe that he was not supported so that he can come back and rise again…he needed the support from the teammates, coaching staff including the bosses – he lacked that support lacked at Chiefs.”

EX-CHIEFS DEFENDER ON HOW ERTUGRAL HELPED HIM

ALSO READ I Ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder joins Cape-based PSL returnees

The dreadlocked Burundian legend, Nahayo looked back at his stay at Naturena after joining from Cosmos in 2008, praising the Turkish boss, Muhsin Ertugral.

“I think Caleb felt like they ‘maybe they don’t like me’ and such thoughts could distract a player and that’s why Chiefs struggled,” he added.

“For me, he did well compared to my first season at Chiefs. I struggled but Muhsin supported me. I was a better player in my second season at Chiefs.

ALSO READ I Pirates boo boys victim calls for help from PSL clubs

“I came from a different environment at Comsos but I was playing every game in the season because Muhsin’s support was very crucial for me. I guess (Arthur Zwane) didn’t give him that support when he dropped the form.

“I am sure if he can maybe join a different PSL club, Caleb can do better, he’s still 25 and has the future ahead of him. Out of 10, I can give him seven.”

In 21 matches across all competitions for Chiefs, the lanky goal poacher scored eight goals and provided a single assist in the previous term.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY PHUMZILE NGCATSHE