Brian Baloyi pinpoints Kaizer Chiefs' missing link

Nasreddine Nabi. Photo credit: Kaizer Chiefs

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has identified what he believes is the crucial missing link contributing to Amakhosi's recent struggles, particularly their dismal ninth-place finish in the Betway Premiership last season.

The poor performance also saw them miss out on the MTN8 for the second consecutive year, with their Carling Knockout Cup journey ending in December at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns. However, they did salvage the season with a Nedbank Cup triumph over Orlando Pirates, ending a decade-long trophy drought.

Baloyi is convinced that adding a local assistant coach to Nasreddine Nabi's technical team could be the solution to the Phefeni Glamour Boys' challenges.

The Chiefs legend highlighted the key role Mandla Ncikazi has played in Orlando Pirates' success alongside Jose Riveiro over the past two seasons, illustrating the vital impact a knowledgeable local figure can have within a team.

"I've been telling my friends this. People don't respect the role that Mandla Ncikazi is playing at Pirates," Baloyi stated. "That's where I feel Chiefs are missing the point and don't understand that role. We understand that most of our players come from townships and rural areas. Some of them can't express themselves properly in English."

Baloyi elaborated on the communication gap, explaining, "When you have an assistant coach who's local, they are able to speak to those players. A coach can speak in English, or even sometimes you have coaches who don't even know English; you need a local coach to speak with in IsiZulu or Sesotho."

He also touched on cultural differences that can hinder foreign coaches. "People have to understand that our cultures are different as coaches and players. European coaches won't understand that sometimes, in some of our cultures, when we grow, we grow up scared of a white person."

"When you bring this coach, he can't express himself. It will take time for him to be able to express himself in a proper way. Sometimes people don't understand that when a player joins Chiefs from, for example, Golden Arrows. When the player gets to Chiefs, he is coached by Ernst Middendorp, who'll swear and shout at them, and the player can't perform."

Baloyi's clear message to the Amakhosi management: "So, if Chiefs keep a coach [Nasreddine Nabi], they must bring in a local assistant to be part of the technical team."