Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Isaac Mabotsa has questioned the mentality
of the current squad after they celebrated a stoppage-time equalizer against
Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup instead of pushing for a winner.
Chiefs, who lost their opening group match to Al Masry, were under pressure
to secure points when they hosted Zamalek at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on
Saturday. Falling behind in the third minute to Seifeddine Jaziri’s goal,
Amakhosi salvaged a draw in the 96th minute after Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed
Sobhi fumbled Dillan Solomons’ cross into his own net.
Instead of rushing to restart play in search of a dramatic winner, Solomons
and his teammates ran to the corner flag to celebrate the equalizer—a
reaction that frustrated sections of the support, who viewed it as a sign of
a lowered competitive standard.
Speaking to the Siya crew, Mabotsa suggested that Chiefs’ prolonged absence
from continental football may have left the players struggling to adapt to
the competition’s demands.
“To be honest, so far it’s not a good run, what we expected from them. Let’s
hope things will be right after the [AFCON] break,” Mabotsa said.
“For me, it’s all about the mentality. If you remember, Chiefs have not been
in CAF for a long time, so I think they still need to adjust. I mean, it’s
another level. It’s a high level. Maybe after the break, the boys will
realize that no man, it’s another level, it’s not the same as in the league.
You really have to give 100 percent to win the games there.”
Chiefs have two remaining Betway Premiership fixtures—against Chippa United
on Wednesday and TS Galaxy on Sunday—before the league pauses for the Africa
Cup of Nations.
