Ex-Bafana captain criticises Kaizer Chiefs' poor season despite cup victory
TOUGH SEASON Former Bafana captain Neil Tovey criticised Kaizer Chiefs' poor league performance despite their Nedbank Cup win, highlighting the club's need for consistent results. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Former Bafana Bafana skipper Neil Tovey says Kaizer Chiefs winning the Nedbank Cup did not make it a good season, after the Soweto Giants finished outside the top eight for the second year in a row.
Earlier this month, Chiefs won their first piece of silverware in 10 years when they beat rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final in Durban.
However, after finishing 10th last term, another middling season outside the top eight has materialised once more.
Since the start of his tenure at the beginning of the season, Nasreddine Nabi has called for patience from the club’s supporters.
Tovey Criticises Chiefs' Inconsistent League Performance Despite Trophy Win
Tovey, meanwhile, who played for Chiefs for nine years in the 1990s, said finishing so low down on the table was simply not good enough for the club.
“While they won a trophy, the league standings are always the benchmark for evaluating our performance throughout the season," Tovey told KickOff.
“Chiefs have been poor, to be honest. In football, you are judged by your league position. Given the stature of Chiefs, they should be a top-three team... That’s really disappointing.
“It’s not good at all. Many can be held accountable for this, including the players and the coaching staff.”
While the cup win was a significant achievement, Tovey said that didn’t change how Chiefs would be judged.
“Yes, they won a trophy for the first time in ten years, which is unusual for Chiefs. Typically, they don’t go more than one or two years without a trophy.
“However, winning a trophy doesn’t equate to having a good season. You will ultimately be judged by your league position. Consistency is key.”