JOHANNESBURG - Masilo Machaka, 38, has been a Kaizer Chiefs supporter for more than two decades, and he says the misery of the last three seasons is unlike anything he has experienced before.
With his beloved Amakhosi being hosted by defending Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns for their league opener at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, he hopes a good result can be the sign they have been waiting for.
“I am a Chiefs supporter even when the chips are down,” Machaka said as he opened up on having to watch the Glamour Boys huff and puff for the previous three years under Steve Komphela.
The philosopher resigned in April and had already taken up a new venture at Bloemfontein Celtic, while it looked like Chiefs would have to begin again with Giovanni Solinas. Machaka and his fellow Khosi supporters have been vocal about wanting change.
“When you criticise, you do it because you love the team and want to see change. It’s like disciplining your child. You can’t just leave them to carry on being naughty without showing them the way. The fans are there to help the club see where they’re going wrong,” Machaka, who hardly misses a Chiefs game, added.
He considers being a fan of the team in yellow and gold special, supporting them from “as young as I can remember”. It was with a heavy heart that he conceded that the hooliganism displayed in Durban in April, forcing Komphela to resign after they were beaten 2-0 by Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semifinal at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, was not only disturbing, but equally embarrassing for the “peace-loving” followers of the Soweto giants. They want to behave this season and give Solinas their backing, starting with the Downs clash.
“I pray he (Solinas) finishes a season because this guy (apparently) never sticks around for long at one club. I also hope that he knows what he’s getting himself into. This is a big club, with family values and an appetite for trophies.