adminJOHANNESBURG. — Willard Katsande has called on the Kaizer Chiefs faithful not to boo their own players.
The Amakhosi are comfortably leading the Absa Premiership standings, but a couple of draws in recent games against Moroka Swallows, Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City has some worrying that the club might suffer a repeat of last season, when they squandered an 11-point lead.
The game against Polokwane City saw a number of gilt-edged chances missed, with Kingston Nkhatha in particular coming in for stick.
Now, ahead of a tough fixture away to Bidvest Wits, Katsande has called for unity.
“I do want to stress the importance of our supporters keeping faith,” he told the club’s official website.
“They mustn’t boo one of our own players when he misses a chance.
“Supporters must be real supporters, motivating us. That’s so crucial, especially for a player who has just missed a goal scoring opportunity.”
Katsande is one of the players walking a suspension tightrope ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby, with one more yellow against Wits ruling him out.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter admits that his team’s misfiring in front of goal in some of their recent matches has got him worried.
Amakhosi, who face Bidvest Wits today in an Absa Premiership clash, have the second-best attack in terms of goals scored with 16 from 12 matches.
Polokwane City have scored one more than Chiefs from as many games.
During the two sides’ clash on November 25, Chiefs missed lots of chances and allowed City a couple of their own but the match finished goalless.
“What worries me and I said this to the players, is that if we are a top team then we shouldn’t be missing so many chances and presenting a few to the opponents because you can end up losing a lot of games 1-0. So that’s what would worry me,” he said.
Chiefs’ last five League matches
Ajax Cape Town 0 Chiefs 1 (Mashamaite)
Chiefs 1 (Letsholonyane) Swallows 1 (Baloyi)
AmaZulu 1 (Ndulula) Chiefs 2 (Lebese x2)
Chiefs 1 (Lebese) Sundowns 1 (Modise)
Polokwane City 0 Chiefs 0
Online Reporter