KAIZER Chiefs midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi became the first Premier Soccer League player to gesture back at supporters seeking his substitution.
His frustration at being a target of the boo-boys spilt over at the weekend - and his club remained perplexed over a continuing problem.
Sections of the crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday directed the traditional sign of discontent at a player's performance at Nkosi - the rolling of wrists over each other to indicate a desired substitution - during the second-half of Chiefs' 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the second round of the Nedbank Cup.
As he was being taken off in the final quarter-hour of the match, Nkosi mimicked the action of the fans as he left the field and was visibly angry.
Coach Stuart Baxter sought to calm Nkosi down and teammates offered him a sympathetic word and pat on the shoulder.
"I had seen him gesturing to the crowd and that he was reacting to something, but I hadn't seen the crowd," explained the coach afterwards.
"Real Kaizer Chiefs fans will know that if they do that it breaks the confidence of the player.
"People who come to the stadium and pay for their tickets have a right to say what they like, or blow a vuvuzela or singing or whatever. But if they smash the confidence of a player it doesn't do the club much good," Baxter added.
South Africa is the only footballing country in the world where fans demand changes from the coaches with a visible signal. It is a long standing blight on the domestic game that Chiefs, after decades of apathy, are now seeking to address head on.
Just two weeks ago Chiefs had banners reading "Don't boo us" displayed before the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. The same message was displayed when they played against BidVest Wits at the same venue.
Many signings at Chiefs have been victims over the decades, some losing all confidence after having derision heaped on them.
Nkosi reacts to the boo-boys
KAIZER Chiefs midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi became the first Premier Soccer League player to gesture back at supporters seeking his substitution.
His frustration at being a target of the boo-boys spilt over at the weekend - and his club remained perplexed over a continuing problem.
Sections of the crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday directed the traditional sign of discontent at a player's performance at Nkosi - the rolling of wrists over each other to indicate a desired substitution - during the second-half of Chiefs' 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the second round of the Nedbank Cup.
As he was being taken off in the final quarter-hour of the match, Nkosi mimicked the action of the fans as he left the field and was visibly angry.
Coach Stuart Baxter sought to calm Nkosi down and teammates offered him a sympathetic word and pat on the shoulder.
"I had seen him gesturing to the crowd and that he was reacting to something, but I hadn't seen the crowd," explained the coach afterwards.
"Real Kaizer Chiefs fans will know that if they do that it breaks the confidence of the player.
"People who come to the stadium and pay for their tickets have a right to say what they like, or blow a vuvuzela or singing or whatever. But if they smash the confidence of a player it doesn't do the club much good," Baxter added.
South Africa is the only footballing country in the world where fans demand changes from the coaches with a visible signal. It is a long standing blight on the domestic game that Chiefs, after decades of apathy, are now seeking to address head on.
Just two weeks ago Chiefs had banners reading "Don't boo us" displayed before the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. The same message was displayed when they played against BidVest Wits at the same venue.
Many signings at Chiefs have been victims over the decades, some losing all confidence after having derision heaped on them.
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