Kaizer Chiefs’ supporters march to Naturena
Amongst other points listed in the 12-point memorandum, Kaizer Chiefs' fans called for the establishment of a women’s team, the finalising of supporter membership cards and improved communication with the club.
In a first of its kind for South African football, disgruntled Amakhosi fans took to the streets of Naturena on Friday to hand over a memorandum to the team’s management at Kaizer Chiefs Village.
Six years without silverware, poor recruitment and lack of communication between the team and its fanbase were what prompted the fans to organise the peaceful protest. On Friday morning, more than 100 Chiefs supporters marched to the team’s base in Naturena, just outside Soweto. One of the protest’s organisers, Mpho Mokoka said supporters felt ignored by the club.
“I mean, we buy the club merchandise, we attend games. We lost the league on the last of the season last year and no one from the club said anything. So on top of the empty trophy cabinet for the past six years, we also felt there was a huge communication gap between the fans and the club,” said Mokoka.
Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in the unfamiliar battle for a top 8 finish and rumours suggested that that the protest was to call for the sacking of Head Coach, Gavin Hunt. However, Maggie Setjie – a Pimville resident and Kaizer Chiefs supporter who was part of the protest was quick to clarify.
“No, the march has nothing to do with Hunt. We want better communication and accountability from the team’s management. We want to see the right investments being made and better signings than we’ve seen in the last few years,” she said.
Amongst other points listed in the 12-point memorandum, Kaizer Chiefs’ fans called for the establishment of a women’s team, the finalising of supporter membership cards and improved communication with the club.
The memorandum was received by a panel of the club’s senior officials that included Jessica Motaung, Kaizer Moutoung Jnr and others.
Addressing the fans on the day, Jessica Motaung assured supporters that their grievances would be addressed.
“I’m not here to make promises today – I can’t. It would be unfair. But what I can do and what we can do is to take these issues that you have tabled to the highest level of the organisation. Taking them to the Chairman and to the relevant stakeholders. Making sure – and I say this seriously – that they are attended to,” she said told supporters.
Just a day later, the players their had a chance to give a response of their own on Saturday night, and they did so in emphatic fashion, hammering Simba SC 4-0 in the first quarterfinal leg of the CAF Champions League.
In his post-match media conference, Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach Gavin Hunt was asked what his thoughts were on the protest.
“Maybe that helped us win hey, maybe we need more marches,” he jokingly said.
“You’ve got to respect the supporters. They’re obviously feeling the pain – we all do, and they’re only voicing their grievances,” he added.
Hunt also applauded the Khosi faithful for the manner in which the protest was planned and executed.
“I think it’s important the way it was done. It was handled very well and I think a win like tonight will soften it a little bit,” the 56-year-old said.
Hunt and the Amakhosi supporters will hope for similar fortunes when the Soweto giants make the trip to Tanzania to take on Simba SC in the second leg of the CAF Quater final fixture on Saturday afternoon.
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