Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has come out strongly in defence of his technical team and players as Amakhosi continue to face mounting pressure from supporters.
The Soweto giants have endured a slump in form that has sparked frustration among fans, culminating in a protest at Naturena aimed at both management and the coaching staff.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against Durban City, Kaze addressed the criticism head-on.
“There are people with different agendas. They can say the coaches don’t deserve to be here, or that the board is too big, bigger than the captain that is leading it,” he said.
Kaze insisted that despite recent poor results, the team has shown steady progress throughout the season.
“I showed you the stats of the team,” he added. “This team has been in constant progression since the beginning of the season. Are you going to start panicking because of one month of bad performances when you’ve had seven incredible months of work? There are still 12 games to play and a lot at stake.”
READ: Kaizer Chiefs condemn Naturena protest, hand evidence to police
Amakhosi currently sit sixth on the Betway Premiership table, 17 points behind rivals Orlando Pirates but just three points adrift of third-placed Sekhukhune United, with two games in hand. Kaze believes the race for a top-three finish remains very much alive.
“Today we are in sixth position. The team that is third is two points ahead of us,” he added.
“We have two games in hand. I’m not saying we will win both, but if this team finishes top three at the end of the season, I can even leave and say I have accomplished what no one has accomplished in the last ten years.”
With the pressure mounting, Sunday’s fixture offers Chiefs a chance to silence critics and reignite their campaign.