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Yusuf Maart, Kaizer Chiefs, May 2025Backpage
Kiplagat Sang

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender reveals what made Yusuf Maart's form start dropping - 'He lost one of his best friends'

The retired defender links the captain's struggle with an off-pitch issue, which he believes has taken a toll on the attacking midfielder.

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  • Maart defended amid criticism
  • His leadership skills questioned
  • His performance coincides with Chiefs' struggle
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  • Yusuf Maart & Nasreddine Nabi, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs, March 2025Backpagepix

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould has explained what affected Yusuf Maart's performance on the pitch.

    Gould said he is close to the Chiefs' captain and has credited the drop in his form to the loss of a close friend.

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    WHAT GOULD SAID

    "He's a captain with actions; he really wants to be a captain, how he wants to lead the team. He might not lead it how we used to lead it, with being vocal and being all over the place. He can also lead from the bench, and you need a strong leader to lead from the bench," Gould told Switch On Network YouTube Channel, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

    "Why do I say he has done phenomenally? I'm very close to him, in that I know he lost one of his best friends, and that's when his form started to dip. Psychologically, he was not there," he added.

    "And you can see how emotional he was after scoring that goal; he really sent a tribute to the friend he lost. He was very close to him; that's why I say this boy is a leader—he's been through a lot. It might not be his best season, but he has done well."

  • Yusuf Maart and khalil ben youssef, Kaizer Chiefs

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Sometimes his leadership has been heavily questioned, especially this season when the Glamour Boys struggle in the Premier Soccer League.

    The winless run for Amakhosi has extended to seven league games, and coupled with a penalty miss against Golden Arrows, all these have put Maart on the receiving end of unending criticism.

    Even though Maart has been under persistent and consistent criticism, he delivered the Nedbank Cup for Chiefs.

    He scored the winning goal against Orlando Pirates in Durban to become the first skipper for Amakhosi to lift a trophy in a decade.

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  • Yusuf Maart, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    WHAT NEXT FOR MAART?

    Chiefs are chasing a top 8 finish, and should they achieve that, Maart will be credited for leading his side to yet another season target.

    Amakhosi are set to face Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City on May 17 and May 24, respectively. These games are must-wins for the Naturena side to make sure they end the season in the top eight bracket.

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