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Maponyane Criticizes Chiefs' Approach

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Kaizer Chiefs fan during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 13, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Kaizer Chiefs fan during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 13, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Kaizer Chiefs legend Marks Maponyane has weighed in on the "embarrassing" defeat to AmaZulu and came up with one big factor for their struggles. 

Chiefs could not maintain their perfect restart to the season, as after comfortably beating Golden Arrows, they went on the lose to Sekhukhune United on the club's 53rd birthday. 

Amakhosi were expected to redeem themselves against AmaZulu last Friday but went on to be hammered 4-0, with former players such as Dumisani Zuma and Ramahlwe Mphahlele scoring against their former club and another one-time Glamour Boy George Maluleka providing assists to those goals. 

Read: In Numbers: How Zwane Compares To Baxter, Hunt & Co

Maponyane says it's embarrassing for Chiefs to lose in that manner when they are supposed to be celebrating the club's 53rd birthday. 

"I watched that game and the results to me were just unbelievable but then not only unbelievable, you remember the game against Sekhukhune (United), losing by an odd goal?" Maponyane opened up on SA FM Sport On. 

"On a crucial day, the 53rd birthday and then going down to Durban and the worst happened. I mean that to me was humiliation." 

"Go man Go" went on to suggest that the team's downfall is blooding too many youngsters in the first team at the same time and compared their struggles to Manchester United after the Sir Alex Ferguson era. 

"It's a valid concern especially when a team has a reputation, Man United tried it and it never worked and Chiefs tried it in the past and it never worked. I mean for them (Man United) to buy the (Christian) Eriksens of this world, the Casemiros, the (Bruno) Fernandes, it was because (grooming youngsters in the first team) was not working," he said. 

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"To say 'I'm building this team with youngsters', you know how humiliated they were? And they are starting to look like a side that is credible (under Erik ten Hag). 

"And one thing that is important, we all have to know that the team of that magnitude you always have to make sure that it's got players that can carry it, players that are reputable." 

Read: Zwane Matches Chiefs’ Heaviest Defeat Record 

Maponyane, Amakhosi's all-time leading goal-scorer, carried on to say that youngsters at the Naturena-based side simply can't handle the pressure, especially when the team is not winning. 

"Because youngsters cannot take this pressure, because people keep saying it's seven seasons, this is the eighth (without a trophy at Chiefs) and that is too much pressure," he went on. 

"So you can't just do it when Sundowns are firing on all cylinders like they are now," he insisted.

 

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