Former Bafana Bafana coach points out Kaizer Chiefs big problem in PSL - 'That is not going to win them championship'

Former Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has explained what has worked against Kaizer Chiefs' ambition to win the Premier Soccer League.

Since the 2014/15 season, the title has been elusive for the Naturena outfit, which has appointed eight coaches from then until now.

The regular changes of coaches at Chiefs have been pointed out as a factor that has contributed to their PSL struggle. Radical surgeries in the playing unit have also been linked to the struggle. 

“The problem is that teams like Chiefs are changing their team and coach almost every year,” Igesund told iDiski Times.

“That is not going to win them the championship. Chiefs need to employ someone they can confidently give a mandate to win the league. They must say, ‘That’s your mandate, and we will give you all the support you want,’" he added.

"But if you get a coach who still has to get used to the culture and get used to the players like they’ve done, then you’ve got a problem. You are just not going to stop Sundowns.”

Appointment of experienced coaches has been suggested as a remedy for the PSL title drought at Chiefs. Citing an example of Hugo Broos at Bafana Bafana, Igesund explained the importance of experience.

 “There’s no substitute for experience in coaching. Look at [Hugo] Broos; he is fit and can do the job. He’s got the brains. He’s been there and done that, and that’s why our national team is doing well. Our football needs that," Igesund said.

"Our clubs need to realise that they are not going to compete against Sundowns with young, inexperienced coaches. You need people who've been there before and have won championships."

“I went from Pirates to Santos and won the league. I also won the league with Sundowns and was essentially champion with [Moroka] Swallows at the final whistle of the season, only for Benni McCarthy to score for Pirates and they beat us to the title.”

Igesund's assessment comes just as the Premier Soccer League's new campaign is beginning and Nasreddine Nabi is starting his second season with the Soweto giants.

Despite criticism that came his way and Chiefs' struggle in the PSL, the tactician managed to end a decade-long trophy drought at Naturena.

However, given the weight that the PSL title carries, Nabi's career at the club will be mostly judged on how much better or worse he performs in the league. 

After losing the Toyota Cup duel to Asante Kotoko from Ghana, the Glamour Boys started their league season with a win against Stellenbosch on Sunday.

Following faulty starts by both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi will be brimming with confidence ahead of Wednesday's clash against Polokwane City.