As their season comes to a disappointing close, former Kaizer Chiefs star Siphiwe Tshabalala has called for patience with the club likely to undergo another rebuild at the end of the 2023/24 season.
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In his own words, patience is a song that has been sung for the last nine years as Chiefs' quest for silverware continues, but it is a process that needs to take place, according to the man who spent 11 years in the colours of Amakhosi.
Whenever 'Shabba' is at an event, questions about his beloved Chiefs are sure to follow.
It was no different at the Nedbank Ya Rona house, where Shabba is an ambassador, where questions regarding Chiefs were flying left, right and centre.
"When it comes to Chiefs, I don't have all the answers," he told journalists in attendance.
"It's a phase which is not nice. It's a phase which is difficult for everyone. Whenever this change is there, there's always pain, you know, it's a process and a hurtful one having gone so many years without a trophy as well, like I said before you know, the team has good players, really good players. I think most of the players that were recruited to the team were the best players in their former respective clubs. It's just that it's not happening, not as individuals, but as a team.
"So the challenge is as the team collectively. And it seems as if you know. There's nothing to play for this season in terms of silverware, but they still have a chance, for the top eight and hopefully next season, you know the team will definitely have a review and see where they went wrong, where they need to improve, who to bring on board as well and hopefully things will change, but it's a process like I said and change takes time and change is painful and it needs a bit of patience and I know that it's a song that's being sung all the time. Patience - but it's the truth. You know, when you build something you need patience. It's just that, you know, it takes time and not at the pace that the fans or the public expect," he said.
Chiefs currently find themselves in 10th position on the DStv Premiership standings, with six matches to go.
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