Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki revealed how his appointment came about to take the hot seat at the Soweto giants.
Ntseki initially joined the Kaizer Chiefs in May 2021 as the academy manager, where his primary responsibility was to identify and nurture emerging talents for promotion to the senior team.
In July 2023, the 54 years old, was promoted to be the head coach of Amakhosi, following an underwhelming season under coach Arthur Zwane.
During an interview on SABC Sports Amplified, Ntseki disclosed that Nasreddine Nabi was initially supposed to lead the club for the previous campaign.
However, the deal with Nabi fell through because he wanted to bring his technical team, which did not align with the club’s plans.
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This development led to Ntseki being appointed as the head coach.
“The expectations towards the end of the season (2022/23 season), was for Kaizer Chiefs to have a new coach,” Ntseki told SABC Sports Amplified.
“What we did as a technical committee was we looked for the coach and things did not work out for us.
“The club decided to appoint the head of technical and development as the head coach (Ntseki).
“I think what needed to happen at that time was for the supporters to understand and know why the expected coach could not join the club that time.
“When you look at my appointment from the word go. The supporters were not happy.
“They said we wanted this coach (Nabi), he could not get appointed.
The former Amakhosi mentor also shared that the fans were already disappointed with him when he was announced as the coach before the previous term started.
“So, already there was a big frustration and the supporters because of what they had experienced over the years. They wanted somebody that they believe will bring them success.
“And when you bring from within (Chiefs) of which it was not their expectation because of the interviews that were conducted (coaches to be hired).
“So, they were saying will this man that you have appointed going to win us trophies?
“What they wanted is a play and a coach to come and win them trophies and the league of which it’s not going to happen overnight.”
Ntseki went on to further detail that before he agreed to take the job he made a proper assessment of the players that were at the club as he was aiming to bring back to its glory days.
“When you go to a preseason you come up with a preseason program and a game model based on the profile that you have of the players.
“I took the job with a proper assessment of the players we have. With a very clear knowledge of what has happened over the years.
“And as a coach a decision was made to say, I’m taking over as the coach because the club has appointed me.
“And I will work with these players so that we can get results. The unfortunate part the results did not come the way wanted.
“In terms of winning MTN8, playing in the final of the Carling Knockout, or maybe at the end of the season winning the Nedbank Cup.”
Ntseki only made 13 appearances on the bench for Abafana base Phefeni, before he was sacked and coach Cavin Johnson was appointed as an interim coach for the rest of the campaign
Podcast: @AndileNcube spoke to Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana Coach Molefi Ntseki on #SportsNightAmplified with @AndileNcube at @METROFMSA
— SPORTS NIGHT AMPLIFIED with ANDILE (@SNAWA_MetroFM) July 16, 2024
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