Kaizer Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung has sent a message to the club’s supporters, who behave responsibly while insisting that the unruly fans “do not understand the situation.”
This comes after Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki had to be escorted off the pitch to the tunnel by the police after supporters once again threw missiles at him.
A section of frustrated Chiefs’ supporters were calling on Ntseki to resign after the club lost 1-0 to SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership clash on Wednesday night at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
It was the second time this season that Ntseki was attacked by some Amakhosi supporters as they also threw missiles at him after suffering a defeat to TS Galaxy in the league last month.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor took over the coaching reigns at Chiefs at the start of the 2023/24 season. He replaced Arthur Zwane, who was redeployed back to the assistant coach role.
In the new season under Ntseki, the Glamour Boys have had a slow start. They won two games in the league while drawing two, and losing three. Chiefs are currently positioned eighth on the log standings with eight points.
JESSICA MOTAUNG CONDEMNS VIOLENCE FROM CHIEFS FANS
While addressing the media at the PSL headquarters on Thursday, 21 September 2023, Motaung said that Chiefs fans need to understand that violence won’t solve the problems faced by the club.
She also thanked the fanatical fans, who are level-headed despite the Soweto giants’ struggles to win some silverware in recent years.
“We are very disappointed with what happened on [Wednesday] with the fans,” said Jessica. “We must say with the group of fans who decided to behave the way they did. And we must say thanks to our fans who are responsible because we have responsible fans.
“But certainly a very disappointing conduct and for us it’s to say we condemn the violence. The club doesn’t condone violence.
JESSICA MOTAUNG SAYS THE FANS SHOULD TRUST THE PROCESS
Jessica Motaung believes that the club has been doing its best in terms of recruitment of quality players and beefing up the technical team with well-equipped coaches as they look to reclaim the glory days.
She went on to urge the fans to be patient with the rebuilding process led by Ntseki, assisted by Zwane and Dillon Sheppard.
“It’s really unfortunate that after the hard work the club has done. We signed nine players,” she added. “There’s real transformation and revival, not only in players but you can see the playing style and team.
“We think that it’s really time for our supporters to rally together and support. Be together with the team and let’s work together towards achieving our objectives.
“So we’re very disappointed about [what happened on Wednesday]. South Africans must understand that violence is not going to solve our issues.
“And while we may be angry and do not understand the situation, we rather sit together and collaborate.
“We’re really looking to our supporters to be supporting our team when we going to battle, going to a game like we facing this weekend. The expectations are regardless of the results. We want to see our supporters saying to the team; ‘We rally behind you’. Supporting coach, the players to do their job.”
Kaizer Chiefs lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 second leg semi-finals at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Kickoff is at 15:00. The first leg at FNB Stadium ended 1-1.
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