Rise Khosi Rise... but how?
By L.DISANE
Image: Internet Archives
Kaizer Chiefs is a club born from the flair found in the football streets of Johannesburg “locations,” or as it is known in the streets of Johannesburg: “elokshini”. If you fast forward to the Kaizer Chiefs of today, this very same flair is no longer visible, yet if you watch their heyday games, it contributed greatly to their initial success as a football club. This simply means that Kasi Flavour is no longer trained or motivated in the training guidelines of this club. But why not train Kasi Flavour when it makes fans scream out in joy and fill up stadiums?
Think of Emmanuel ‘Scara’ Ngobese, think of Jabu Mahlangu, formerly known as Jabu Pule. Think of all the memories you have of Teenage Dladla, Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo, Shoes Mosheu.
Where I see that Chiefs started losing the plot was when Muhsin Ertugral was allowed by Khosi management to shout at the club’s players for showboating. Showboating happens once a team has secured the victory, and they are enjoying themselves before the final whistle is blown. Muhsin Ertugral made players feel like they were breaking one of the ten commandments whenever they expressed themselves in youthful charisma.
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I believe that Mandla Masango was the final straw, and Kaizer Chiefs have never been the same team since this crucial change in the DNA of their playing style. Kaizer Chiefs can be considered to be in a state which is lacking flavour. And that is a fair outcome considering that they chose rigid European tactics over Kasi Flavour. The very same flavour which played a pivotal role in making them the South African cup kings.
Their arch rivals Orlando Pirates F.C. have also greatly contributed to the general loss of Kasi Flavour in South African premier league football. For them, I consider Kostadin Papic as the main culprit. One game I remember well, in 2006, Orlando Pirates were leading 5-0, and the game had passed the 80th minute. The flavour filled Pirates players started doing what was natural to them as South African Kasi football loving players who had completed what had been required from them by the coach – to win. So they started dribbling and showboating to wind down the time. Did Mr Papic not lose his mind? He ferociously took a leap towards the soccer field hurling profanity at his players, “focus!!” he shouted!, “the game is not finished you stupid fools!!” Maybe I am exaggerating the paraphrasing a little bit, but I can confirm for sure that he was really angry with his players; players like Gift Leremi, Joseph Makhanya, and Lebogang Mokoena. The players were both scared and confused a little bit.
Slowly, as time went by, the Kasi Flavour left the field of Kaizer Chiefs, and returned to the kasi streets; and it is there where it still lives freely and is adored very much by players, coaches, and the fans.
I also have to admit that in addition to the flair, Kaizer Chiefs have always had the advantage of a strong defensive system. I remember players like Cyril Nzama, Fabian McCarthy, Neil Tovey, Brian Baloyi, Patrick Mabedi. The last time Chiefs had a solid defence system was with the pairing of Tefu Mashamaite and Eric Mathoho, with Itumeleng Khune in the goalposts.
I would like to sell Kaizer Chiefs FC a new deal:
Mr Kaizer Motaung, let the players express themselves; groom the spirit and flavour of a Jomo Sono, condone it that they do these styles in games. Defend players like Thabo Rakhale and Thabo Qhalinge when coaches like Pitso Mosimane mock them for showing some flavour in their arsenal of football skills.
Yes sir, Kaizer Chiefs is a football organisation and soccer is their business, but please, do not make the mistake of reducing the soccer at Kaizer Chiefs to just a business.
Image: Internet Archives
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