New Kaizer Chiefs coach feels heat because he is not a 'celebrity'

New Kaizer Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki says he is under pressure for not being a "celebrity" ahead of the DStv Premiership season kick-off on Friday.

"If you are not a celebrity, people tend to think of you as being limited in terms of knowledge," he told the City Press newspaper.

"It should be more of we wish you all the best being a South African coach in charge of a big team such as Kaizer Chiefs."

However, pre-season losses to Young Africans in Tanzania and Township Rollers in Botswana have heightened supporters' fears that the popular but struggling club have not made the right choice.

Ntseki was fired as coach of South Africa after a loss to modest Sudan dashed hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

He then became head of technical and youth development at Chiefs, winners of a record 53 national trophies and one of the biggest brands in African club football.

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After eight seasons without winning a competition, Chiefs demoted head coach Arthur Zwane to an assistant role two months ago and promoted Ntseki.

The move shocked many Chiefs supporters who expected Tunisian Nasreddine Nabi, coach of 2023 CAF Confederation Cup runners-up Young Africans, to be appointed.

Nabi reportedly wanted to bring his own technical backroom team while Chiefs insisted he work with Zwane, once a star winger at Chiefs.

As Chiefs prepare to face perennial strugglers Chippa United on Sunday in the first round of the richest African national league, Ntseki is upbeat.

'Something special coming'

"There is something special coming as long as we are confident and have belief. This is the time for a revival," he says.

"But winning trophies is