Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Neil Tovey has delivered a blunt assessment of Amakhosi's underwhelming 2023/24 campaign, despite their recent Nedbank Cup triumph. The club legend argues that league performance - not cup success - should be the true measure of a team's progress.

A Season of Contrasts

While Chiefs celebrated ending their nine-year trophy drought with victories over PSL heavyweights Stellenbosch FC, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup, their league form told a different story. The Glamour Boys finished a dismal ninth in the Betway Premiership, winning just eight of 28 matches - their worst league performance in recent memory.

Tovey's Frank Assessment

"The cup win doesn't mask our poor league showing," Tovey told KickOff. "For a club of Chiefs' stature, a top-three finish should be the minimum expectation. Ninth place is simply unacceptable."

The 1996 AFCON-winning captain emphasized that sustained league performance remains football's true benchmark: "Trophies matter, but consistency across 30 matches defines a team's quality. Right now, everyone - from players to technical staff - must shoulder responsibility for these results."

Historical Perspective

Tovey noted Chiefs' unusual trophy drought preceding this cup win, highlighting how the club traditionally expects silverware every season. "Going nearly a decade without trophies was uncharacteristic, but one cup doesn't constitute a successful campaign when league form suffers this badly," he concluded.

The comments may not sit well with head coach Nasreddine Nabi as he prepares for next season, but they reflect growing concerns among the Amakhosi faithful about the team's inconsistent performances. With preseason approaching, Chiefs face mounting pressure to address these systemic issues.