Kaizer Chiefs 'knew it wasn't going to be smooth' - Bobby Motaung

Chiefs missed out on the Nedbank Cup after being knocked out by rivals Orlando Pirates last week, but remain in the fight for a top-three finish in the DStv Premiership, which would also earn them qualification to next season's CAF Confederation Cup.

Motaung concedes that it has been a disappointing season as far as results are concerned, but promises they will bounce back.

"When we started the season, we knew it was not going to be smooth... We had youngsters, we had a young coach with young technical staff, and everything has been fresh," said 'Bobsteak'.

"We knew that it was going to be tough. It was going to be a blessing to win a top-eight [trophy] or Nedbank, or be in the Champions League competition because, remember, to build a house from scratch, it's not an overnight success, it's a journey.

"And I think, if you look at how Sundowns and other teams are winning, it's about consistency. They've never revamped their team, they're just adding on, and I think ours is more about [gaining] experience now for the youngsters to adapt to this."

Amakhosi have come under fire from disgruntled supporters, who want to see immediate progress, and Motaung added that beefing up in the upcoming transfer window is on the agenda as they look to build on the 2022/23 campaign.

"Next season, we are definitely going to beef up and look at where the challenges were, and work on it [because] football is a journey, it's not a one-night thing or one-day think, and I think we are in that journey," he added.

"We know where we are headed, and we are aware it's a disappointing season, but it was a rebuilding season. I think the experience the coach has gathered, along with the young players that came in, will help us going forward."