Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha has offered words of encouragement for Amakhosi striker Ranga Chivaviro.
The 31-year-old forward has been a victim of ‘boo boys’ last season at Chiefs after only scoring four times. Under both Cavin Johnson and Molefi Ntseki, Ranga failed to replicate his Marumo Gallants form that led him to the Glamour Boys.
Nkhatha, who played for Kaizer Chiefs a decade ago, was also subjected to relentless booing by Amakhosi fans. Speaking on Radio 2000, the ex-Black Leopards admitted it was hard to continue when faced with criticism from fans.
“It’s a difficult topic, but it’s not easy to have your own supporters booing you. It feels like you are not important to the team,” Nkhatha said on Radio 2000.
“The coach that’s picking you to play week in and week out knows what you can bring to the team, so it becomes hard for other players because you need a big heart and big mentality.
“Also, as a player, you need to understand that there is something wrong you are doing that you need to improve. So you must just take it in, don’t fight. Just go home and check what it is that you need to improve to give more to the team.
Nkhatha was often booed by Kaizer Chiefs fans
“It also comes to another point, where if you are not a fan favourite, it will happen. If the supporters don’t like you, they’ll show that they don’t like you. Ranga must understand that fans have favourites, and they don’t understand that players don’t have the same qualities,” said Nkhatha.
With Chiefs, Nkhatha won three trophies under Stuart Baxter. Although he had to deal with unhappy fans due to his lack of goals, his off-the-ball contributions were highly praised by his teammates.
Ranga Chivaviro faced a lot of backlash from fans in the past but this season, he has so far silenced many fans.
Can Chivaviro score 10 goals this season?
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