Kaizer Chiefs should be wary of not falling for the same trap that made them trophy-less for the previous nine seasons, according to legend Marks Maponyane.
Although Chiefs have not won an official trophy in the previous nine campaigns, it has not been for a lack of spending, after going all out to sign new players.
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After being criticized for lacking quality players, at least in the last three seasons the Glamour Boys have been beefing up the squad with reputable signings, but their intervention in the market has not translated into matters on the pitch.
The Soweto giants, as a consequence, have had to rebuild every season, with coaches similarly not getting enough chances to build a team.
After Chiefs were hammered 4-0 by Young Africans in a Toyota Cup friendly match on Sunday, there have been suggestions from fans that Amakhosi need serious reinforcements in the transfer market if they are to be competitive in the upcoming campaign.
However, club legend Maponyane believes new head coach Nasreddine Nabi must be given space to build a team and new signings should be sought after the current squad has been properly tested.
"I've always had a problem with signing, signing, signing. Signing is not always a solution or the only solution. You've got to sign, but sign players that get into this wheel or this machine that is well-oiled," Maponyane said on SABC Sport.
"And when they get there, they just help it to keep going. But when you sign in desperation, in need of results, it becomes a problem because it puts pressure on other players and that, to me, is where the challenge is for Kaizer Chiefs.
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"This could be an eye-opener. They know they are not ready and maybe I may sound odd, but it's good that they lost early and then they will realise there is still a lot to work on and that can be the beginning of the winning times," the all-time Chiefs leading goal-scorer added.
The club's new signings, in goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and Rushwin Dortley, were not used on Sunday.