Ranga Chivaviro is eager to have an improved season at Kaizer Chiefs.
As such, he believes coach Nasreddine Nabi will help him to fast-track that process.
Chivaviro arrived at Chiefs with a lofty billing last season, having scored 17 goals across 30 matches for Marumo Gallants in the previous campaign.
However, he didn’t live up to the hype at the Amakhosi. He scored only four goals last season, owing to injuries, a poor run of form and coaching changes.
Entering the new season, Chivaviro wants to capitalise on the positive energy around the club, which coincided with the arrival of new coach Nabi.
The Tunisian tactician knows Chivaviro well, as the duo crossed paths in the CAF Confederation Cup two seasons ago.
Then, Nabi’s Young Africans beat Gallants 4-1 on aggregate in the Confed Cup semi-final, with Chivaviro scoring the solo goal for the South African club – taking his tally to five in the competition.
The duo have since reunited at Chiefs, and speaking during their media open day at the club’s village this week, Chivaviro recalled his first conversation with Nabi at Naturena.
“It was one of the first conversations we had, me and him (when Nabi arrived at Chiefs in the off-season),” he said.
“He reminded me of what I was doing, and who I was and how he wants to see me this season. We touched a little on this and that.
“He’s someone who wants to understand what’s going on with your life. We’ve had that conversation, and it’s productive.
“We’re hoping this season will bring back that Ranga who was scoring goals regularly (at Gallants).”
But while Chivaviro wants to work with Nabi to get back to his best form, he knows that it’s not only about him, but the team as a collective.
Chiefs have fallen from grace in the past nine seasons as they endured a barren run during that period, owing to failed signings.
So far under Nabi, the Soweto club seems to have gone for quality signings, boosting the squad with players such as Gaston Sirino, Rushwin Dortley, Fiacre Ntwari, Inacio Miguel and Njabulo Blom.
Inácio Miguel | Media Open Day | New Glamour Boy#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/4hW9T0Lxst
Chivaviro is hopeful that they’ll get things right this season, especially after their poor 10th-place finish in the league last term.
“I want to resurrect that form (from Gallants), and hopefully it’s not just me, but it’s all the guys,” the 31-year-old said.
“We believe if we’re all on top of our game, we’re bound to win. That’s the mandate for us — to win games and put Chiefs on top, where we belong.
“It was a difficult first season for me and for the team. I don’t know how many years we have finished outside the top eight, let alone not qualifying for CAF football.”
Chiefs will begin their campaign tomorrow afternoon (5.30pm kick-off) when they visit Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein in their opening game of the Betway Premiership.
And while they are the favourites on paper, Amakhosi are far from being their best – as was proven by their inconsistent performance during pre-season.
Kaizer Chiefs have moved to secure the services of emerging starlet, Donay Jansen, for the next three seasons with the offer of an improved contract that will see the talented young wing-back remain at Naturena until the end of June 2027. #Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 12, 2024
But nonetheless, Chavaviro is not dwelling much on their shortcomings. He believes that they’ll run like a well-oiled machine in future if they continue to grow under Nabi.
“For me personally it’s been a lot of learning. What’s important is he’s reminding us of what Chiefs is, and what it takes to be here. Being in this circle must mean you are quality,” he said.
“Coach Nabi takes a lot of time to remind us of that and tells us what’s expected to be a Chiefs player.
“We’re now used to what he expects from us as players, and we know what we need to do this season – to bring back the glory days for this club.”