Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane says they need to help the players deal with the pressures of appeasing their own supporters in sold-out arenas across the country.
Chiefs are arguably one of the most supported clubs on the continent and despite an eight-year trophy drought, their fan base remains unshaken, with stadiums across the country being sold out to support Amakhosi.
From Moses Mabhida, Mbombela and Harry Gwala Stadium upcoming – Chiefs fans outnumber even the home supporters but when iDiski Times probed the question of whether players are buckling under the pressure, Zwane hinted it’s something they are looking to rectify.
“I think when it comes to players it’s a case of adaptation, players learn differently, and some will find it difficult to settle in quickly because of the pressures that come with being a Kaizer Chiefs player,” Zwane said ahead of last-32 Nedbank Cup clash against Maritzburg United on Friday evening.
“So it’s us now… as a technical team to [figure out] how to help them settle in quickly and understand the meaning of playing for a team of Kaizer Chiefs’ caliber and times have changed, the game has evolved you know.
“I wouldn’t want to talk about how we used to do things or how things used to be, things have changed, players of today deal with things differently and that’s why as coaches, those who have been there as players, those here now, help them grow to be better players on and off the field.”
The Team of Choice host the Soweto giants in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening (19h30).
