Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze says Dillon Sheppard’s return to the senior setup adds "valuable depth" and experience as the Amakhosi look to ignite their attack. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has shed light on the return of Dillon Sheppard to the club’s senior technical team following a stint with the reserves.
Sheppard rejoins the first-team setup at a time when Amakhosi are searching for solutions after a dip in form, particularly in the attacking third where goals have been hard to come by. The former winger is no stranger to the senior environment, having served as assistant coach between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 seasons.
During that period, he worked under a succession of head coaches, including Stuart Baxter, Gavin Hunt, Arthur Zwane, Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson — a run that exposed him to different philosophies within the club’s ever-changing technical structure.
He was later redeployed to the reserve side, where he assisted Vela Khumalo and played a key role in guiding the team to their first-ever DStv Diski Challenge title last season.
Now back with the senior squad, Sheppard is expected to provide additional experience and support as Chiefs attempt to steady their campaign.
The Glamour Boys remain in the hunt for continental football next season and despite their win over Durban City last time out, they remained in 5th place on the log. They have scored just 17 goals in 19 league outings.
Kaze believes the technical team already has the tools to resolve the team’s struggles in front of goal but admitted that Sheppard’s return adds valuable depth.
“I believe that the staff has enough skill to deal with that, it’s finishing the things that we have worked on,” said Kaze.
“We have brought an extra member in the technical staff with the experience. I would say that at training we do a lot of exercises to finish a lot of situations that could arise into the game."
“I’m pretty sure that when we get a little bit confident, we’re going to be better in that phase.”
Chiefs’ recent struggles have not only been about creating chances, but converting them — an issue that has cost them valuable points in the Betway Premiership.
The Naturena-based club will want to build momentum when they next step on the field on Saturday against bottom of the table Magesi FC. The hope within the camp is that renewed confidence, combined with Sheppard’s familiarity with the club’s structure and players, will help sharpen their edge in the final third.
For Kaze and his technical team, the message is clear — the solutions are already within reach, but execution will ultimately determine whether Amakhosi can turn performances into results.