“I know our supporters are passionate about the team,” says Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite. “But please be patient. Just embrace and support all our players regardless of what happens on the pitch.”

The Amakhosi face Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership clash at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday afternoon (kick-off at 6pm). Last Saturday, some sections of the crowd were booing whenever a goal scoring chance was missed, especially when this happened to Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha.

“Booing is a culture of impatience,” explains Mashamaite. “It has to do with self-entitlement. We have done very well so far this season, being on top of the league log. This has led to growing expectations from our supporters. But it can’t always go our way and if this happens, please be patient.”

“If our supporters start booing one of us, it affects us all. It’s emotionally draining. I wish people would look at the amount of work Kingston does for the team. Sure, we all know that our supporters put in their heart and money to come to attend the games and support us. We appreciate that tremendously. However, please, show patience as well, as we enter the field to do well, we don’t go there to make mistakes.”

Then, Mashamaite adds philosophically: “I come from Bochum in Limpopo, from the rural areas. We have to walk long distances to get service. From that experience, you learn to be patient.”

“That’s why I ask our supporters once again – I know you all love the team. And I can’t express the words how thankful we are as a team to see you always turn up in great numbers at the stadium on match day. That’s what makes us Kaizer Chiefs. However, please be patient. Things take time to happen.”