Just when it looked like stability had finally returned to Naturena, Kaizer Chiefs are hitting the reset button. Again.
Reports indicate that Amakhosi management has decided against renewing the contracts of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. The news comes as a massive talking point across South African football, especially considering the duo just steered the club to its most successful league campaign in over half a decade.
The 2025/26 Turnaround by the Numbers
- Final Position: 3rd place (A massive leap from last season’s 9th-place disaster)
- Total Points: 54 points across 30 matches
- The Prize: Confirmed qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup alongside Durban City
Progress vs. The Ultimate Ambition
Kaze and Ben Youssef took the wheel under immensely difficult circumstances following Nasreddine Nabi’s abrupt departure earlier in the season. Instead of panicking, they stabilized a fragile dressing room, embedded exciting young talent like 18-year-old debutant goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba, and brought continental football back to the Amakhosi faithful.
So, why the axe?
Insiders point back to comments made by sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr., who made it clear that the club’s absolute baseline target was CAF Champions League qualification. By missing out on the top two, the co-coaches ultimately fell short of the hierarchy’s lofty expectations. For a club that demands silverware and elite status, a “good recovery” simply wasn’t enough.
With neither the club nor the coaches dropping an official statement just yet, the focus shifts entirely to the boardroom. The mandate for the next appointment is clear: build on this 54-point foundation and mount a genuine title challenge against the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
Over to You: Who Takes the Wheel?
The hot seat at Naturena is officially vacant, and the rumor mill is already spinning at a million miles an hour.
- The Dream Target: Could this pave the way for a blockbusting swoop for Pitso Mosimane, a man obsessed with continental glory?
- The Tactician: Do they look to someone with proven domestic pedigree to instantly steady the ship?
- The Wildcard: Will management look abroad for another high-profile European tactical mind?
Who would you like to see take over as the next Kaizer Chiefs head coach? Let us know your tactical picks and expectations for next season in the comments below!
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