KAIZER Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef with goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi are now looking to the club management to decide about their future a Naturena.
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs are guaranteed a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership this season, securing qualification for next season’s CAF confederation Cup with two games to spare.
While Chiefs will want to win both remaining matches – against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and against Chippa United at the same venue on May 23 – the fixtures also offer an opportunity to begin preparations for next season.
Those preparations may differ across departments, but management should prioritise making a decision on the future of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
Kaze and Ben Youssef have enjoyed a commendable campaign by guiding Chiefs to a third-place finish and surpassing the 50-point mark. The last time Amakhosi enjoyed a better league season was in the 2019/20 campaign when they finished second with 59 points.
There has also been visible progress this season. Brandon Petersen has excelled as club captain, leading by example both on and off the pitch since taking over from Inacio Miguel early in the the campaign.
Goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi deserves credit for helping Petersen reach top form, but the environment created by the technical team has also played a significant role in the goalkeeper’s success.
Striker Flavio da Silva started the season under immense pressure after an underwhelming pre-season. However, the coaching staff remained patient with him, and that faith has paid off, with the striker contributing goals and assists.
Although a top-three finish represents progress for Chiefs, who finished outside the top eight in the previous two seasons, it does not mean the team functioned like a well-oiled machine throughout the campaign.
At times, the team lacked structure and organisation, with players often appearing out of position and struggling out of possession. As a result, Chiefs dropped points in matches they were expected to win comfortably.
Chiefs were expected to build on their strong performance against Orlando Pirates in the recent Soweto derby, but instead they suffered a defeat to Siwelele in the following match.
That result highlighted concerns over the team’s mentality. Rather than building confidence from the derby display, they appeared to lose concentration.
Discipline has also been an issue for some players. Miguel was expected to be one of the team’s leaders this season, but lapses in discipline and concentration proved costly for both him and the side.
He picked up unnecessary suspensions during the campaign, while defensive errors often forced his teammates and Petersen to cover for him.
The pressure that comes with coaching Chiefs also appeared to affect Kaze and Ben Youssef at times, whether from the media or supporters.
Ben Youssef notably clashed with members of the media during press engagements this season, while the coaches also faced criticism from supporters over substitutions, particularly during matches at FNB Stadium.
Ultimately, the decision rests with management. Chiefs could choose to retain the duo, allowing for continuity and long-term planning ahead of next season. However, others believe the club should pursue a stronger figure, such as Pitso Mosimane, to take the team forward.