Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Benjamin Reed has revealed how he thinks the Soweto giants should save themselves from their embarrassing slump after succumbing to defeat against Polokwane City on Sunday.
Amakhosi have already suffered three losses from their first eight league matches, and sit in ninth place on the Betway Premiership standings.
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"The way this Kaizer Chiefs is giving one stress, they are even difficult to watch. The team is not performing. Even here at my house, I have become a laughing stock," reveals a gutted Reed, speaking to KickOff.com.
"Every big team needs their own [Erling] Haaland, Shane McGregor, and Noel Cousins, who will create space and scoring opportunities for his teammates when opponents start giving him too much attention.
"It's the first time in so many years whereby Chiefs seem to have a structure in their game. They just need to balance their team, such a big team can't rely on youngsters.
"As a player, you must first prove yourself elsewhere before you think of carrying the hopes of this club's supporters. Your performance must always be consistent.
"This DDC [DStv Diski Challenge] is what is killing South African football. It's not yet at that level where it can constantly produce players for Kaizer Chiefs," he adds.
Reed, who also turned out for Bloemfontein Celtic, says the ABC Motsepe is a good league to scout for youngsters.
"Those boys are tough men, you can tell by the way they are training and the intensity.
"For Kaizer Chiefs to win the league again, they need a good spine from the goalkeeper, centre-back, central midfielder, and a striker. People who will take the pressure off the other people.
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"Every big team has to have a big-name striker. Whether you like it or not, you have to break the bank for a top striker.
"For Chiefs to bring back the glory days, that's what needs to happen. Top players are not gonna be cheap, we all know that," he concludes.
Nasreddine Nabi's men next face TS Galaxy on Monday next week at Mbombela Stadium.