Johannesburg – After a tumultuous season, Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday demoted Arthur Zwane and appointed Molefi Ntseki as the new Head Coach of the first team.
Zwane, who presided over the team’s poor season that saw them finish in 5th place on the DSTV Premiership table, has been demoted to assistant coach.
Angry fans had signalled their frustration with “10111” failing to answer their calls for a winning formula and had lately resorted to pelting Zwane with objects after poor match results.
Announcing the changes in the coaching department, Kaizer Chiefs said it was “pleased to formally announce the appointment of Molefi Ntseki as the new Head Coach of the first team, effective immediately”.
Chiefs added: “The restructuring of the technical team sees Coach Ntseki take over the coaching reins of the senior team from Coach 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.
Commenting on Coach Ntseki’s appointment, Executive Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, said: “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.”
Before this appointment, Coach Ntseki served as the Club’s Head of Technical and Youth Development at Kaizer Chiefs.
He has a wealth of experience in coaching at the highest level, including a spell as Head Coach of the men’s senior football team, Bafana Bafana, as well as serving as assistant coach of the national team and coaching various junior national teams.
“We look forward to Coach Ntseki sharing his experience and ensuring that there is stability in the team while we improve our performance. We will provide him with all the support he needs in this new role,” Chairman Motaung said.
Accepting the challenge, Coach Ntseki said: “I fully accept this huge responsibility that the Chairman, our Board of Directors and the Club have bestowed on me with humility and respect.
“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, AmaKhosi have appointed former goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker as a Strategic Adviser.
The highly experienced and successful Dinkelacker will work with the goalkeeper coaches and the goalkeepers next season.
He will also have the responsibility of advising on all technical operations and developing the strategy for the goalkeeping department from junior to senior teams.
