Kaizer Chiefs head coach search heats up: Ibenge, Caneda, Mosimane among contenders

The race to become the next head coach of DStv Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs is intensifying, with a fascinating shortlist of candidates emerging. 

The Naturena-based side is on the lookout for a permanent replacement for Molefi Ntseki, who was shown the door earlier this season.

According to information gathered by FARPost, Amakhosi are casting a wide net in their search, considering both local and international options. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the names being considered by the club:

WHO ARE THE TWO SOUTH AFRICAN COACHES LINKED WITH THE KAIZER CHIEFS JOB?

Pitso Mosimane [South Africa]: ‘Jingles’ is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful football coaches. His remarkable career highlights include five South African Premiership titles with Mamelodi Sundowns, three CAF Champions League titles, and three CAF Super Cup triumphs. He also lifted the Egyptian Premier League title with Al Ahly, and a bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The current Abha Club mentor also served as Bafana Bafana assistant coach during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. ‘Jingles’ later held fort as the head coach of the senior national team. He went on to win the Saudi Arabia second-tier league, guiding Al Ahli to promotion. He holds numerous individual accolades that include multiple PSL Coach of the Season awards and CAF Coach of the Year in 2016. Reference will always be made to how he transformed a Sundowns team that had been struggling on the domestic scene. He is out of contract in June.

Manqoba Mngqithi [South Africa]: Currently part of Sundowns’ dominant coaching team. His coaching career took off in 2007 with Golden Arrows, where he made history by leading the team to their first major trophy, the MTN 8, in a stunning 6-0 upset over Ajax Cape Town. Following stints at AmaZulu and Chippa United, he returned to Arrows before landing a pivotal role as assistant coach at Mamelodi Sundowns in 2014. Over the past decade, Mngqithi has been instrumental in Sundowns’ rise to African dominance, playing a critical role in winning over half a dozen trophies for the club. He will be free to join any club of his choice in June when his contract comes to an end.

THE TWO UNATTACHED COACHES GUNNING FOR THE AMAKHOSI HOTSEAT

Rui Vitoria [Portugal]: The former Egypt national team coach boasts extensive experience in Europe and the Middle East. That includes a stint with Benfica. Known for his tactical acumen, he has two Portuguese titles with Benfica, and the Saudi Arabian title with Al Nassr. Vitoria, who turns 55 next month, has won eight trophies in his career. He is currently unattached, having left the Pharaohs’ job in February 2024 after a disappointing AFCON tournament. Vitoria holds a UEFA Pro. 

Raul Caneda [Spain]: A Spanish coach with a focus on possession-based football. Caneda, a close associate of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, has reportedly expressed interest in the vacant head coaching position at Amakhosi. The UEFA Pro holder boasts a strong coaching resume, including assistant roles at Spanish clubs Real Sociedad and UD Almeria, and leading roles at prominent Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr. He had a highly successful stint at Al-Ittihad in 2012, where he transformed the team and went on an unbeaten run of 25 games from his first match in charge, setting a new club record. He also brings experience working with young talent, having served as a youth coordinator at the Real Madrid football school between 2002 and 2003. The 55-year-old has been without a club since 2020. 

MAKING STRIDES ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT 

Alexandre Santos [Portugal]: Santos is currently the coach of Angolan giants Petro Luanda. The 47-year-old, who holds a UEFA Pro License, joined the club in 2021. In his previous jobs, he was an assistant coach with the Saudi Arabia national team. He held the same position with SC Braga, Al Wahda, Al Ahly and FC Porto. He has won two Angolan league titles in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Petro Luanda are currently third on the log standings with three games in hand after collecting 37 points. They were knocked out of CAF Champions League in the quarter-finals by TP Mazembe.

Miguel Gamondi [Argentina]: The Young Africans SC coach is a well-travelled manager with experience on the continent. His coaching career took flight on South African soil, with Mamelodi Sundowns when he won the PSL title as co-coach with Neil Tovey in 2007. He has worked for top clubs including Esperance [Tunisia], Wydad Casablanca [Morocco], CR Belouizdad, USM Alger [both Algeria] and now Yanga [Tanzania]. The 57-year-old led the now-defunct Platinum Stars into the final 16 of the 2008 CAF Confederation Cup in its first foray into continental competition. In his first season with the Jangwani giants, Yanga, he is on the verge of winning the league title. He also guided them to the quarterfinal of the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. They lost out to Sundowns after a penalty shootout earlier this month.

THE SURPRISE NAMES ON THE LIST 

Julien Chevalier [France]: A younger coach with a reputation for developing exciting, attacking, youthful teams. The 43-year-old enjoys a successful tenure at Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas, which he joined in 2019. His credentials include a UEFA A coaching license, and experience coaching the club’s youth team. He served as assistant coach to the Togo national team. Chevalier’s impressive track record features three consecutive Ivorian league titles [2021-2023] and a 2023 Cote d’Ivoire Cup victory. ASEC are currently sixth on the log with two games in hand after amassing 33 points. Like Gamondi, his charges were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League recently.

Florent Ibenge [DR Congo]: Highly-regarded coach with success in both club football and with the DR Congo national team. The 62-year-old boasts a UEFA Pro License and currently leads Al Hilal Club in Sudan. He joined the club in 2022. His impressive coaching history includes stints with RS Berkane, the DR Congo national team, and AS Vita. Ibenge has a proven track record of success. He won the 2016 CHAN with DR Congo. At RS Berkane, he won the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup and the 2022 Moroccan Cup.

Chiefs’ decision will be fascinating. Will they prioritise international pedigree, African experience, youth development expertise, or make the bold move to secure Mngqithi? The shortlist suggests a willingness to explore diverse options, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the final decision.

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