Yesteryear defender Muisi Ajao says it hurts that Kaizer Chiefs is struggling to wake up from the slumber that has left them without a trophy for the past decade.
Ajao speaks from the heart having played for both Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
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The Nigerian arrived in South Africa in 1997 after a season with Belgian club Cercle Brugge, then spent a season at Amakhosi, before moving to Sundowns, where he had a four-year stint.
"It is a very difficult time for Chiefs right now," Ajao tells KickOff.com.
"For Chiefs, it is difficult from every aspect even though the management is trying everything they can to restore the club to where it belongs.
"It is a pity for the boys who are playing for Chiefs right now or in the last 10 years because they don't know about the joy of winning trophies at that club.
"They don't know what it means to play for a winning Chiefs.
"Right now, I think it will take more than bringing new players for Chiefs.
"Those players need to gel, and the pain is that this has been going on for a long time," says Ajao.
"Chiefs needs to come back because it has been going for too long, and it hurts to see them where they are.
"Chiefs is now like Manchester United, a big-name club with players overwhelmed by the jersey.
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"Even the betting houses were giving Sundowns less money (for a win ahead of Saturday's game) because they can also see what is happening with Chiefs.
"That means had Chiefs won, it would have been a miracle," adds Ajao.