Kaizer Chiefs past environment is to blame for R6 million stars’ criticism, as he looks to improve.
Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart is undeterred by the criticism from supporters as he strives to elevate his game. At 29 years old, Maart made headlines when he joined the Chiefs from Sekhukhune United, where he captained the side and earned his place in the senior South African national team. Yet, his journey with the Chiefs has not mirrored the stellar performances that initially drew attention.
“I don’t take note of or know about [the criticism] because I’m not a lot on social media. If you’re active there, you’d know what’s going on,” Maart stated, emphasising his focus on performance over public perception, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“There’s a lot to improve [on my game], and hopefully it will as soon as possible.”
Season’s rocky start and team morale
Chiefs kicked off the season with high hopes, thanks to the appointment of head coach Nasreddine Nabi. After two promising wins, the team faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns just before the FIFA international break. Despite this, Maart insists that their morale remains intact.
“I think we started good. The game against Sundowns didn’t go our way, but it won’t stop our momentum as a team,” he asserted. “I don’t think it will bring us down, as well as the technical team.”
Navigating a challenging environment
Yusuf Maart’s challenges extend beyond the pitch. He entered a team that lacked leadership and struggled with frequent coaching changes. These transitions led to a lack of stability, making it hard for Maart to find his footing and adapt. As he explained, “There was no time to find my feet; I was always playing catch-up.”
This context sheds light on why the criticism directed at him feels unjust. The Chiefs were not in a position of strength when he joined, instead, they sought a saviour to end their trophy drought.
Maart’s impressive stats amidst struggles
Despite the challenges, Maart has managed to contribute significantly since his transfer in July 2022. He has scored four goals and provided five assists in 65 games across all competitions, proving his potential even amid the team’s struggles.
As the Chiefs prepare for the CUFA Cup clash against Marumo Gallants this Saturday at the Toyota Stadium, all eyes will be on Maart to see how he responds to both the pressure and the expectations.
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