Former Sundowns Star Leonardo Castro Cautions Gaston Sirino About Ambition at Kaizer Chiefs

As the 2023/24 PSL season kicks off, former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Leonardo Castro has issued a stark warning to Gaston Sirino, who recently made the switch from Sundowns to Amakhosi. The 33-year-old Colombian, who spent four seasons with Kaizer Chiefs, shared his concerns about the lack of ambition he observed within the team during his tenure. Castro’s comments come as Sirino embarks on a new chapter at Naturena, a move Castro believes could prove challenging unless the club rekindles its hunger for success. Leonardo Castro, the towering Colombian striker known for his time at both Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, has openly expressed his reservations regarding the current state of affairs at Amakhosi. Following Gaston Sirino’s recent transfer from Sundowns to Kaizer Chiefs, Castro, who is no stranger to the South African football scene, shared his insights in a candid interview with KickOff.

“Moving to Chiefs is All Part of the Job”

Castro, who himself transitioned from Sundowns to Chiefs in 2018, likened Sirino’s move to his own journey. He acknowledged that changing clubs is part and parcel of a footballer’s career, especially after a successful stint with a team like Sundowns, where competition for places is fierce. “Moving to Chiefs is all part of the job, which has come after a successful stay at Sundowns, where they always have a lot of players,” Castro remarked.

Kaizer Chiefs: A Club with Comfort but Lacking Hunger?

While Castro admitted that Kaizer Chiefs would treat Sirino well, he didn’t shy away from pointing out what he sees as a significant issue at the club— a lack of ambition among its players. “I have told Gaston the truth about Chiefs, and he knows it. Chiefs is a club that will treat you well and Gaston has already felt it,” he said. However, he added a word of caution, noting that the team’s current focus on nurturing younger talent could make it challenging to compete with the more experienced and quality-laden Sundowns squad.

Celebrating Kasi Football: A Sign of Complacency?

In a rather blunt assessment, Castro criticized the culture at Chiefs, particularly the celebration of what he referred to as “kasi football,” which he equated to Sunday League football rather than professional soccer. “You cannot be celebrating kasi football players at Chiefs because that is for Sunday League football and not professional soccer,” Castro stated. He emphasized that professional football demands quick decision-making and a relentless desire to succeed, qualities he feels are in short supply at Chiefs.

The Road Ahead for Sirino

Castro expressed concerns that Sirino might struggle to find his footing at Kaizer Chiefs if he doesn’t stay focused. He cited the examples of Siyabonga Ngezana and Njabulo Blom, who both worked hard and eventually secured moves abroad, as players who exemplified the ambition needed to advance their careers. In contrast, Castro lamented that too many talented players at Chiefs lack the drive to push beyond the club’s comfort zone.

“I Was There, I Know the Truth”

Reflecting on his own time at Chiefs, Castro was frank about his experiences. “There are players with talent but no ambition at Chiefs. I was there at Chiefs and was honest about this,” he revealed. Castro also expressed hope that under the guidance of new coach Nasreddine Nabi, the club could regain its competitive edge and bring joy to its long-suffering fans.

A Painful Legacy

Despite his criticisms, Castro admitted that his time at Chiefs was not without its regrets. “It still hurts me that I never won trophies at Chiefs after losing the league title in the last game and lost the Champions League final,” he confessed. His reflections serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges Sirino might face as he embarks on his journey with Amakhosi.

Conclusion

As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on Gaston Sirino to see if he can rise above the challenges at Kaizer Chiefs and bring the ambition and success that the club’s fans crave. Leonardo Castro’s warnings serve as both a caution and a call to action for a team that has the potential but, according to Castro, needs to rediscover its hunger for victory.