Chiefs players are also affected by missile throwing – Ntseki

Molefi Ntseki says the behaviour of Kaizer Chiefs supporters, who again threw missiles at the Amakhosi head coach on Saturday after the Carling Knockout loss at home to AmaZulu, affects not just him, but the Chiefs players as well.

This was the third time this season that fans had hurled missiles at Ntseki after a defeat, and this latest incident is likely to see Chiefs forced to play a game behind closed doors, if the Premier Soccer League decide to take further action.

“When things like this happen, for a third time, it not only affects you, it affects the players as well,” said Ntseki.

“When they see what happens to their coach when we lose matches, it becomes a reflection (for them) to say ‘what if tomorrow I am next’.”

The Chiefs head coach added that he feels that there is a South African problem of supporters not giving enough backing to the side when results are going against them. Chiefs are currently eigth in the DStv Premiership, lost in the MTN8 semifinals to Mamelodi Sundowns and Saturday’s cup exit means they are guaranteed an eighth calendar year without a single piece of PSL silverware.

“I think in terms of South African football supporters, the biggest challenge is that they are not very supportive,” said Ntseki.

“They are not very passionate when results are not coming.”

Ntseki’s position as head coach has been the subject of constant speculation for almost the whole season, and it has only intensified in the wake of their latest defeat.

‘Love and Peace’

“At the end of the day, this is football. When you are hired, the door is open for you to be fired,” added Ntseki.

“If you don’t get results you should be ready to be fired.

“(But) what is happening (with the supporters) is not the Kaizer Chiefs way. Going forward we should look at ourselves and be supportive of the brand and love everyone involved. ‘Love and Peace’ (Chiefs’ slogan) has carried Chiefs for many years.”

Ntseki, meanwhile, would not be drawn on whether the abuse from supporters has made him wonder if it is worth carrying on coaching the team.

“I don’t think this is a question that can be answered now,” he said.

“I am employed by the club, I will have conversationswith they technical team, we will look into the incident and discuss what is needed going forward.”