Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite has come to the defence of the club's players, who have been under severe scrutiny following their worst DStv Premiership finish in the PSL era.
Mashamaite was skipper during the Soweto giants' incredible 2014/15 run to the league title, a season where he would also be voted the PSL Footballer of the Season, before leaving in favour of a move to the US.
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Since then, things have gone south for the once-mighty side. Amakhosi have not listed silverware since that fateful campaign.
While they have come close in recent years, losing out on the league title on the last day of the season in 2020 and losing to Al Ahly in the final of the CAF Champions League two years later, Chiefs have now reached a new low.
The team giants finished a disappointing 10th position on the log table, the club's lowest finish since the PSL was launched in 1996.
However, speaking to journalists recently at the launch of the Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex, Mashamaite explained the problem is not with the players.
"In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the players," the retired centre-back offered.
"You get [Sibongiseni] Mthethwa, he was playing well Stellenbosch. You get [Ashley] Du Preez, he was playing well at Stellenbosch. You have Given Msimango, he was doing well at TS Galaxy.
"So, I think it's just a matter of creating a culture and a winning mentality when those players get introduced at Naturena," added Mashamaite.
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The Glamour Boys are expected to announce a new coach to usher in a new era ahead of the new season, with this publication having reported on Friday that talks with Nasreddine Nabi have been opened as the Tunisian looks likely to take over.
Meanwhile, several players are expected to permanently clock out of Naturena.
Siyethemba Sithebe, Itumeleng Khune, Njabulo Ngcobo, Sifiso Hlanti, Edmilson Dove, Lehlohonolo Matlou and Keagan Dolly are all out of contract at the end of June.
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