Chiefs Coach Lays Down The Law: I Don’t Like Drinkers & Smokers In My Team

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane says he will not accept players that are not disciplined and if one of them is found not listening, he will be in trouble.

Zwane was asked how he has coped with playing a game during the festive period, a time where players traditionally take a deserved break after the first half of the season.

He said he will not accept players who are drinking and smoking in his team.

There was no Christmas break for PSL players for the festive season due to the FIFA World Cup taking place in November and December before the league resumed.

Zwane insisted his players must show their professionalism on and off the pitch, especially during this time of the year.

“I’m the most difficult coach to work with,” said Zwane after they beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

“Discipline comes first with me and I always remind players. I don’t like players who drink and smoke for many, many reasons. I for one don’t even go to parties. Sometimes, when there is something that is happening at home, I will just show up for one hour and go home, for obvious reasons.

“So I’m not saying they mustn’t socialise. But I’m saying, a complete footballer needs to know what he wants in his life. Gone are those days when a professional footballer would have 20 friends, you must know what you want.

“You must know your circle; you must know who you mix with. At home who you trust, who you don’t trust, who you want to work with, who you don’t want to work with, how you can improve your game – there’s no time anymore to have 20 friends.

“You go to Soweto, from Soweto to Sandton, you have to focus on yourself. So it was always going to be difficult for us because this time of the year is a festive season, so a lot of people are thinking about going out to enjoy themselves.

“We had to put our foot on the ground to say, ‘this is how we are going to do things. If we find out that you do other things, you are out. We focus on those who want it most’. That is why I’m saying, it boils down to one thing – discipline.

“Discipline means a lot of things. You see a lot of dedication from a player that would sacrifice. If you don’t sacrifice for your own life and your future, (you are in trouble).

– Advertisement –

“I always say ‘if you don’t enjoy what you love now, you are not going to enjoy life at a later stage. But you can easily enjoy now and enjoy your time because you’ll never play forever. We are privileged that we are doing what we love’.”