Nhlapo: Chiefs players not bothered by lack of star

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Nhlapo: Chiefs players not bothered by lack of star

Aug 15, 2026 – 12:56 pm
By Sipho Mlotha

Kaizer Chiefs legend Zebulon “Sputla” Nhlapo says the club’s current players seem not to be bothered by the fact that the club doesn’t have even a single star above the badge.

The Naturena-based club is currently behind in continental football compared to their rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who have now won the Champions League twice, and Orlando Pirates, who won the Champions Cup in 1995.

“We are struggling even to win the MTN8. It’s tough. I don’t know anymore what needs to be done; we replace these coaches with these coaches, nothing changes, ideas seem to be running out,” Nhlapo tells KickOff.

“We don’t have players who are willing to play for the Chiefs jersey and badge in our team. We need gifted players, not just good players. Our dignity as Kaizer Chiefs is going down now. Most supporters are no longer happy. Watching Chiefs play has become painful. We no longer enjoy watching our games.

“We love this team, we worked very hard for it to be where it is. So these boys must play and fight for the badge. You don’t choose matches to perform in when playing for Chiefs; every game is a cup final. Home or away, it doesn’t matter.

“If they can all be like Lebohang Maboe, that boy goes all out. He is playing for the badge. Why are his teammates not learning from him? I doubt the current Chiefs players are even bothered by the fact that the jersey they are wearing doesn’t have even a single Champions League star.

“I don’t think they realise they are under pressure to catch up with rivals Sundowns and Pirates’ success in Africa by winning the Chiefs fans a star to brag about.”