Kaizer Chiefs sent shockwaves through the local soccer fraternity on Wednesday evening, following the appointment of Molefi Ntseki as the club’s new head coach with immediate effect.
The big reshuffle of the Amakhosi technical team sees coach Ntseki take over the coaching reins from Arthur Zwane, who returns to the role of assistant coach, together with Dillon Sheppard.
“We would like to congratulate coach Ntseki and thank him for accepting this huge responsibility.
“We know it’s not an easy task, but we believe his experience and knowledge will help us improve and achieve our goals as Kaizer Chiefs.
“He has been here for two years, working well with coaches Arthur and Dillon in his role as head of technical, and will now work with them in a different capacity,” Chiefs’ chairperson Kaizer Motaung said in a statement.
Ntseki, has had coaching stints with Bafana Bafana from 2019 to 2021 and was Amakhosi’s head of technical and youth development.
Zwane’s demotion though does not come as a surprise, following the results of his first stint as the club’s head coach.
Chiefs finished in fifth spot on the DSTV Premiership log standings, in the process suffering a record 12 defeats in the league last term. They also failed to win any silverware, stretching their trophy drought to eight years.
Speaking on his appointment, Ntseki said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“I fully accept this huge responsibility that the chairman, our board of directors and the club have bestowed on me with humility and respect,” Ntseki said.
“I thank them for their confidence and belief in me to become the captain of the ship. I look forward to working with everyone involved in the technical team to bring joy to our millions of Amakhosi supporters around the world.”
Meanwhile, Chiefs have appointed former goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker as a Strategic Adviser in the goalkeeping department of the Club.
“Dinkelacker will also have the responsibility of advising on all technical operations and developing the strategy for the goalkeeping department from junior to senior teams,” the club statement read.
Premier Soccer League teams are set to report for preseason duty from next week, as they prepare for the 2023/24 season.
