The Khosi Nation is biting its nails. All supporters from all clubs are keeping a very close eye on the affairs of others as other teams' news can affect all supporters. For example, Mamelodi Sundowns' signing of Sibusiso Vilakazi means that, as a Chiefs supporter, he will not be one of your own. Supporters are now beginning to wonder if the mighty Amakhosi should just give up on the market, and look to their development structures...
Many Chiefs supporters have taken it as an insult that Sundowns managed to acquire the services of "Vila" ahead of the management at Naturena. On top of this, Chiefs legend Mike Mangena criticised the club for not having the correct development structures in place. However, one supporter has responded to this claim.
"Mike, regarding your claim that Sundowns get their players from their development. This is not true and you have been part of SA soccer long enough to know that Sundowns will do anything, greatly assisted by Motsepe's millions, to get big-name players in their team," Soccer Laduma website reader DubulaMkhaba said.
"As for the question of development at Chiefs, Chiefs do produce good quality development players but at the end of the day never know what to do with them. I can mention more than a handful of these players, some of whom have gone on to play for other teams, or simply disappeared from the local soccer scene due to being neglected and not being given opportunities to showcase their talent and potential in the senior team.
"Chiefs simply do not know what to do with development players, and this could be attributed to lack of strategic thinking and planning at the club. Very similar to thinking of buying an umbrella only when it's raining and not buying and keeping one for a rainy day."
So, from this perspective, it seems that it is not that there are no development structures in place at Naturena, but rather that the structures are not being used properly.
What do you think of this supporter's perspective?
