Chiefs appointment at right time, Ntseki claims

Following failed talks with Tunisian mentor Nasreddine Nabi, as reported by SABC Sport, the Glamour Boys, instead, went with the former Bafana Bafana tactician and move him away from his role as head of technical.

Ntseki refuted that the timing of his appointment to replace Arthur Zwane was a mistake.

"I think in any position that you get appointed to, there's no bad time, there's not a good time”, he said.

“The most important thing is how you psych yourself, and how you prepare yourself. In my getting appointed as head coach, having been with the club for the last two years, I think it came at the right time. Because all the people that I've been working with for the past two years are the same people that I'll be working with, in the new season. 

“Whether it's management, the chairman of the club, the board of governors, the players or the technical team, I think we were holding our hands together to get the best for Kaizer Chiefs. Unfortunately, things did not turn out the way we wanted last season. And this is a new season, new beginnings and new projections,” Ntseki claimed.

 The 53-year-old does not downplay the magnitude of the hot seat he now occupies ahead of their DStv Premiership season opener against Chippa United early next month in Durban. 

"It's hotter because it's 'Amakhosi For Life'. And the supporters are expecting much from all of us, the management is expecting much from all of us, and we have put big demands on us as players and as a technical team because a lot has been said about the club in these past years of the club not achieving anything. 

“Now we turning a new leaf in life in terms of having all the players that we have acquired for this season, have a very clear understanding in terms of the pressure that comes with playing for a big team like Kaizer Chiefs. Because, at times, we tend to overlook that part in terms of social cohesion and understand the demands that come with you as a player, as a coach donning the gold and black colours of Kaizer Chiefs." 

Chiefs have made seven new signings, but have not closed the door on possible more. 

Furthermore, Ntseki confirmed striker Caleb Bimenyimana remains a Chiefs player despite holding talks with Wydad Casablanca over a potential move, which now appears to have collapsed.

"Caleb is with us now. We were just at training, he's with us and we are wishing him all the best of luck as a Kaizer Chiefs player. Hopefully, we'll turn things around this season."