Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala admits that the players themselves are responsible for the way the club’s season has unfolded.
Amakhosi fell out of the title race after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium last month which confirmed that the Sowetan side will once again have a season without any silverware.
Chiefs are currently fourth on the Premiership table and were once leading the chasing pack only to suffer several defeats as the season continued.
"We were too kind, we just gave it away," said Tshabalala in a Q & A on the club’s official website.
"The coach can’t be held responsible. We have to take responsibility as the team."
Despite having spent time on the sideline this past season, Tshabalala remains to be Chiefs’ top goal scorer with seven goals and 32-year-old credits his form to his family.
"I am happy at home. My wife Bokang is very supportive; she’s really there for me. My son, Owethu Temo, also brings me tremendous joy," said the midfielder.
"I shouldn’t forget my teammates as well. We support each other a lot."
The player has at least two or three season left before he should consider retirement depending on his fitness levels. Tshabalala believes that he will want to enter coaching or remain at the club mentoring youngsters.
"To continue working hard and making a great contribution to help the club win trophies.
"I also want to assist and mentor the youngsters to carry forward the legacy of the team, so that in the future we will see the next Shabba, Itu (Khune) and (Willard) Katsande - players who will play 200 plus games for Amakhosi."