Looming strike at Kaizer Chiefs

If you thought that only Manchester United fans know how to protest, then think again. But in one way or another, the Red Devils supporters may have provided a benchmark for other fans to find inspiration.

Yesterday, in the peaceful land of Nelson Mandela, the hashtag #KaizerChiefsProtest began to trend on social media with the overwhelming attention it garnered quickly pushing it up to the most engaging topic on South African Twitter.

Beloved Chiefs is one of the highly sought after clubs in the African continent. But after disappointingly finishing 9th in 2018/2019, bitterly surrendering last season’s league title to Mamelodi Sundowns on the last game of the season and no hopes of finishing near the top continental places this season, Amakhosi fans seem to have seen enough.

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League for the first time, coach Gavin Hunt, who took over at the start of the season, has found it extremely difficult to inspire consistency to the Glamour Boys. In 26 matches played, the club has only won six and drawn eleven games in the league this season – performances that have done little to appease the fan base.

Chiefs supporters are believed to be disgruntled by the club’s management after dropping outside of the top eight this week after the defeat to relegation-threatened Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. What is even more infuriating to the loyal base is that the club is currently in its sixth season without any silverware to its name and no hopes of reaching the summit any time soon.

KickOff reports that a memorandum drawn up by the fans will be handed to management, who are aware of the demonstration plans, after their match at the club’s official headquarters.

The Soweto giants are also said to have confirmed that they are aware of the planned revolt from their fans.

“The club has been made aware of the planned march but we haven’t got further details. Appropriate steps will be determined next week,” club communications officer Vina Maphosa is quoted telling KickOff.

Chiefs however have a chance of assuaging their fans when they take on trailblazing Simba SC in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg tie at FNB Stadium next Saturday, May 15.