Yusuf Maart has opened up about the intense criticism he faced as Kaizer Chiefs captain, revealing that the boos from fans ultimately fuelled his determination before his move to Europe. The 30-year-old midfielder joined Amakhosi in 2022 from Sekhukhune United and made an immediate impact, famously scoring a stunning long-range winner from inside his own half against Orlando Pirates. However, his form dipped within a year, and after being handed the captain’s armband in 2024, sections of the fanbase voiced their frustration as he struggled for consistency.
Despite the criticism, Maart delivered in crucial moments, including a dramatic late winner against Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final that sealed silverware for Chiefs. Yet even that moment wasn’t enough to shift the narrative around him before his move to Austrian side SV Ried in July. Maart admitted the criticism was difficult but motivating, telling Soccerbeat: “They couldn’t break me, they made me stronger.” He explained that his decision to leave was driven by a long-held ambition to play in Europe, despite having recently signed a new deal with the club.
Maart revealed that Chiefs’ coaching staff were keen for him to stay and continue leading the team, but he felt the timing was right to take the leap. “The Chiefs coaches asked me to stay, but I said it’s an opportunity I don’t want to miss…to play in Europe and see what it feels like,” he said. Should Maart return to Naturena in the future, his candid reflections suggest he would carry the same resilience that defined his spell in Soweto.