Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi is hoping the club's fanatical fanbase will show him patience as his tenure gets underway against Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM:
Sections of the Glamour Boys supporters turned on Arthur Zwane and his successor, Molefi Ntseki after both coaches failed to deliver the desired results, while Cavin Johnson didn't fare much better during his interim spell.
Amakhosi limped to a disappointing 10th-placed finish last season under Johnson, who won just six of his 21 league games at the helm and suffered a 2-0 defeat to relegated Cape Town Spurs on the final day.
Chiefs finally got their man when Nabi arrived at Naturena in July, but he insists the Soweto giants cannot be expected to win trophies immediately and wants to see a positive aura surrounding the club in the weeks ahead.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are back in the big time after just one season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, although their route wasn't by normal means.
Gallants only managed to finish 11th in the second tier of South African football in 2023-24, although it could have been much worse after winning four of their last five league games to avoid relegation by five points.
The Limpopo outfit secured their return to the Betway Premiership after purchasing the PSL status of Moroka Swallows in July.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Chiefs head coach Nabi
"Firstly, I want to build a strong team. Then, when you build a strong team, you talk about the cups. It's not possible to finish 10th and then expect to win cups or the league.
"I don't want to speak like a fan. I respect this club and these fans. I need to build a strong team step by step, but first, we are starting. I don't need confusion now; we are starting with the positive, not the negative. I want passion, space and comprehension because that's how football works.
"If you respect Kaizer Chiefs and the fans of Kaizer Chiefs, you will understand that patience is key. I know there is a challenge. We have the experience for the challenge we are undertaking. I have faced similar challenges before, I know my direction, and I'm not afraid of the pressure. I embrace the challenge."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Marumo Gallants - Experienced campaigner Gabadinho Mhango has joined his sixth PSL club after making the switch from Moroka Swallows this week. The 31-year-old striker played an instrumental role in keeping the Dube Birds up last season with his seven goals following their well-documented off-field issues. He has the ability to single-handedly change games and Gallants will be hoping he can make a similar impact this term.
Kaizer Chiefs - Gaston Sirino has been offered a South African lifeline after signing for Amakhosi last month following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of last season. The Uruguayan winger won a host of trophies during his time at Chloorkop, but he fell down the pecking order in 2023-24 with the arrival of Lucas Ribeiro and managed just 24 appearances in all competitions for Bafana ba Style, scoring five goals in the process.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Previous five league meetings)
Matches - 5
Gallants wins - 1
Chiefs wins - 1
Draws - 3