Johannesburg – Lucas Radebe can’t put his finger on what has really led to his former club, Kaizer Chiefs, going two full seasons without a single trophy in their cabinet.
But the Amakhosi legend reckons that the current generation of players don’t have the required hunger, nor the high regard for the badge for which they are playing for, hence they have ended up failing to live up to the expectations of their fans in recent seasons.
Speaking at the Heineken Uefa Champions League final Viewing Experience at the Nasrec Expo Centre this past weekend, Radebe said that it was quite disappointing to see his former side being unable to challenge for honours for the past two campaigns.
“It is disappointing for a big team, such as Chiefs, to have finished this season without having won a single (trophy) really,” Radebe said. “I understand the frustration from the fans because this is a team that is used to producing some form of silverware in every single campaign they get to participate in.
“It’s quite evident that there’s a lot that’s lacking here at the club.
“It’s either the quality of players (is not that good), or it’s something deeper than that. Just look at the players who are playing there,” Lucas added, sounding unimpressed with the current squad Chiefs have.
“If teams like Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns can get better players than Chiefs, then there’s definitely something wrong (happening at Chiefs). But then again, congratulations to Wits for winning the League title. They’ve been consistent enough in getting good results and they truly deserve it.”
Radebe, who won everything that was on offer on the domestic front with Chiefs before he earned a move to Leeds United back in 1994, said the current generation of players needed reminding of the legacy which was left behind by legends such as Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe and Teenage Dladla – just to mention a few – who played their hearts out to turn Chiefs into the respected brand that it is today.
Doing that, ‘Rhoo’ – as Radebe is affectionately known – believes, will get the team to perform at a level which is expected of them.
“To don that Chiefs jersey is not easy,” Radebe explained.
“And to follow into the footsteps of players who wore it before and try to produce the type of results and trophies they were able to produce during their playing days, it’s even tougher.
“(This current generation of players) really need to sweat blood and tears and wear that jersey with pride each time they take to the field of play. They’ve been lacking those qualities for the past two seasons.”