Former Egypt coach believes Kaizer Chiefs lack quality players to restore their glamour days - 'Too many unknowns and lesser players wearing that jersey.'

Kaizer Chiefs have had a difficult start to the season and find themselves outside the top eight with a series of inconsistent results.

Out of nine games, they have only managed three wins in the league so far, leading to calls for Coach Nasreddine Nabi to be given more time.

However, former Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa believes that the problem is not with the coaching staff but with the playing personnel.

According to De Sa, Chiefs have not been signing the quality players they used to attract in the past, which has impacted the team’s overall strength.

He noted that players once viewed Amakhosi as the top destination in South Africa, but this is no longer the case.

The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper pointed out that the current Chiefs squad lacks the same star power that characterized past teams, and many of the signings have been journeymen or players picked up on free transfers.

He emphasized that, without quality players, it’s inevitable that the team's performances would reflect that gap. With many lesser players now donning the Chiefs jersey, He suggested that other teams have started to believe they can beat Amakhosi, and it shows in the results.

"To be honest with you, I've always felt Chiefs wasn't a coaching issue. I always felt Chiefs was a staff, a playing staff issue," the former Iran and Egypt assistant coach said on Soccer Beat.

"I think for the last four or five years, they haven't signed anywhere near what Chiefs used to sign. I think the cream of South Africa would, would end up at Chiefs. I mean, I remember losing players to Chiefs all the time, you know, when I was at Wits and at Ajax, and it was always, you know, players wanted to join Chiefs, and Chiefs were phenomenal at the time. I think they've lost that glamour a little bit. I think, you know, they haven’t really signed your best players.

"Yeah, I remember playing a Chiefs team with Steve Komphela, Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Gardner Seale, Shoes Mosheou, Ace Khuse. It was just superstars, you know, from one end to the other, you know? And now it hasn’t been that way. I think they’ve got sort of a lot of journeymen getting signed up by Chiefs now. A lot of free players. I know there was joking around, 'Oh, they signed players that are on a free,' and this and that."

"But I think, of course, every club goes through those moments. Is it financially, whatever it is, I don’t know. I’m not in there to tell you the truth, but there’s something, there’s something that’s missing there. There are too many unknowns and lesser players wearing that jersey, and I think eventually it starts to show. And I think right now every club plays Kaizer Chiefs, and, you know, they all believe that they’re gonna get points out of that match," concluded the former Bafana Bafana international.

Amakhosi are 12 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, having played the same number of games.

This gap is concerning, but there are still 21 games left in the season.

Chiefs have the opportunity to improve if they make effective signings during the January transfer window.

Bringing in players who add value will be crucial for their ambitions, especially considering the number of injuries the team has had to contend with.

If they manage their squad well, Amakhosi could still have a strong 2025 campaign.

The team needs to focus on returning to form and ensure they close the gap between them and the top positions. With solid reinforcements, the Glamour Boys could be in a better position as the season heads towards its latter stages.

Amakhosi now turn their attention to their next match against Chippa United and Nabi will need nothing less than a victory from his players.

Given their current struggles, this match is crucial for their momentum.

The pressure is on to deliver three points, especially considering their inconsistent form so far.

Chippa could pose a tough challenge, and Chiefs must show up with urgency and focus.

The performance in this match will provide further insight into whether the players can respond to De Sa’s criticism and if the team can rally behind Nabi.