Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune says Amakhosi lacks leadership on the field under Nasreddine Nabi.
The 59-year-old Tunisian coach took over from Cavin Johnson in July and although he has improved the team, Amakhosi still lacks composure at the back . Four new defenders and a goalkeeper were brought in but have done little to improve the leaky defence.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Khune said Chiefs are structured under Nabi but lacks leaders.
“All I can say is that there has been a structure and coach Nabi came with his own philosophy. But obviously, Kaizer Chiefs also has a way of doing things, and obviously, the two parties came together, and they said let’s pull towards one direction, which is to take the club back to where it belongs, which is winning trophies and winning matches,” he told the publication.
“But again, it’s not going to be easy when there’s no distinct leadership on the field – and I think that was Chiefs’ wake-up call this past weekend to say you’ve played against Magesi, you had a lead and you gave it away. Didn’t you learn from that?
Khune on what Chiefs need
“But I feel Kaizer Chiefs players should have handled the game better by applying game management skills because when leading 2-0, you have to definitely shut the back door and make sure that you protect the lead. So, leadership is what was lacking. They needed someone to take charge and say, ‘you know what, we can’t afford to throw away a 2-0 lead’
“In the long run, Kaizer Chiefs can’t afford to be dropping points when they should be collecting, you know,” Khune added. “Because the way the league is so tight, you lose one match and you find yourself out of the top eight in position 13 or 14,” he said.
“Whereas, if you win one match, you find yourself in the top eight. So, these clubs cannot afford for the gaps to be too big and start realising that they need to start picking up points towards the end of the season,” said ex-Chiefs star Khune.
The 37-year-old’s time with Amakhosi ended this season when his contract was not renewed.
Do you agree with Itumeleng Khune?
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