Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane believes Amakhosi have the quality to compete for honours this season, but insists the responsibility now lies with the players to turn their fortunes around.
Letsholonyane, who currently coaches Botswana side Mochudi Centre Chiefs, has offered his assessment of his former club following their inconsistent start to the campaign, which was further compounded by their CAF Confederation Cup elimination against Zambian outfit Red Arrows.
The former Bafana Bafana international admits he was encouraged by what he initially saw from the Soweto giants.
“When the league started, I remember saying that this was the most organised Chiefs that I’ve seen in a very long time. They looked organised in how they played. Things were clear in how they defended, how they attacked and how they wanted to play,” Letsholonyane told iDiski Times.
However, injuries, changing combinations and a run of disappointing results have contributed to what he describes as a prolonged difficult period, with supporters beginning to lose patience with the rebuilding process.
While acknowledging the pressure on the technical team, Letsholonyane believes the players must take greater responsibility.
“I don’t think it’s about the coach. Yes, the coach does the training, but in the end, the people that are playing are the players. The players must also work hard, put in more effort, grind out the results and show who they really are and that they want it.”
Attention now turns to the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, with both sides heading into the encounter unbeaten in the Betway Premiership.
Having experienced the occasion as a Chiefs player, Letsholonyane understands the pressure surrounding Derby week, warning that coaches must carefully manage their squads and ensure players remain focused on the immediate challenge.
He also stressed the importance of Chiefs avoiding back-to-back defeats heading into a fixture of such magnitude.
“I know we usually say form doesn’t matter in the Derby, but the fact is you cannot go as Kaizer Chiefs into a Derby having lost two games. It doesn’t sit well with the team; the brand or the direction of how the brand wants to align things. So, it was good that they beat TS Galaxy [in the Carling Knockout midweek] after that CAF loss.”
Despite the significance of the fixture, Letsholonyane does not believe the result will determine either club’s entire season, insisting there is still plenty of football to be played.
He believes a defeat could affect confidence, but says Chiefs can use the occasion as a springboard to rebuild momentum and remain within touching distance of the leading teams.
The former player fondly referred to as Yeye also challenged the growing narrative that the championship race is already a two-horse contest between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
While acknowledging the current points situation, he believes AmaZulu deserve recognition for their performances and has not ruled out Chiefs re-entering the title conversation.
“If Chiefs win their next two games, the Derby and the following one, the language becomes different. Suddenly, it could be a three-horse race.”
Letsholonyane also mentioned newcomers Milford FC as a team capable of making its presence felt, arguing that the title picture should only become clearer once the campaign progresses into the second round.
Writing Chiefs off at this stage, Letsholonyane argues, would be premature. The challenge now is for the players to rediscover consistency and turn their potential into results.
Story by Matshelane Mamabolo (@Tshiliboy )