Kaizer Chiefs January Run Set to Reveal Real Progress

Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr believes the club will only understand its true progress once the team returns from the AFCON break and enters a demanding run of fixtures in January. Chiefs sit fourth in the DStv Premiership table and remain three points behind current leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Their recent loss to Al Masry in the CAF group stage has added pressure as the club tries to measure its improvement under the current technical structure.

Motaung addressed the media during the DDC team send off at Naturena. He said Chiefs are focused on staying grounded while preparing for a packed schedule in the new year. The AFCON break will pause domestic action in December and early January. Once competition resumes, the team will face a series of matches that will test its consistency, depth and overall development.

He pointed to last season’s struggles, when the club finished ninth under Nasreddine Nabi. He said he will not make any judgments until the squad deals with the intensity of the January run. That period will show if the team has taken meaningful steps forward.

Motaung noted that Chiefs have tightened their defensive structure. The team has conceded fewer goals compared to previous campaigns. He said the next step is improving finishing because the team creates chances but does not convert enough of them. He credited coach Khalil, coach Cedric and the analysis team for building a better understanding of roles and tactical demands. He said the group is working hard and remains focused despite setbacks like the weekend loss in the CAF competition.

He said the club will assess its progress at the end of May. He described the current phase as ongoing work that requires patience and collective commitment. He stressed that the club is keeping its focus on long-term goals.

Motaung also spoke about the club’s youth development structure. He said Chiefs took a deliberate decision years ago to restructure and lower the squad’s average age. The aim was to build a clear pathway between the youth setups and the first team. He said the technical staff at youth level have played a key role in this process. He mentioned coach Vela, coach Sheppy, coach Bhanjee, coach Tshidiso and coach Jambo as part of a system that works as a unit. They collaborate across age groups to ensure a consistent playing approach from Under 14 to the DDC team.

He thanked parents for trusting the club with their children. He said the work at youth level is aligned with the club’s senior ambitions. The pathway supports the goal of producing players who can transition smoothly into the first team.

Motaung believes the club is on track. He said last season’s main goal was to return to continental competition. Winning the Nedbank Cup achieved that. Chiefs are now in the CAF group stages, which was important for the club’s long term plan. The next target is to find the right strategy to reach the knockout rounds. In the league, Chiefs have suffered only one defeat and are tied for second place on points, although the season still has many matches left.

The January schedule will give the club a clearer picture of its competitive level. Chiefs will need depth, focus and consistent execution to handle the workload. Motaung believes the team has taken important steps but said the real measure will come after the AFCON break when the matches tighten and the pressure increases.