Mbatha sheds light on AmaZulu, Chiefs target Cedric Kaze’s coaching style
Former Young Africans CEO Senzo Mbatha provided valuable insights into the coaching methods of Cedric Kaze, the Burundian tactician currently attracting interest from AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs.
Both clubs are in the market, with AmaZulu recently parting ways with head coach Pablo Franco Martin and Chiefs seeking a replacement for assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz.
Da Cruz left to join the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, while Martin’s three successive losses marked the end of a 15-month tenure at the Durban side.
Kaze, who holds A Licenses from CAF and the German Football Federation, is no stranger to the African football scene, having managed Young Africans in the 2020/21 term and worked as an assistant in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. The two-time league title winner with Burundi’s Atletico Olympic is renowned for his meticulous and analytical approach to the game.
Mbatha praised the 45-year-old Kaze’s dedication to the ‘science of football,’ noting his meticulous approach to planning, analysis, technique, and tactics, all underpinned by his Bachelor of Sport Science degree.
“He’s a hard worker, he believes in the science of football, he believes in planning and analysis,” Mbatha told FARPost. “He’s more of a technical coach that likes to drill technique and tactics and works much closer with players.”
THE CONTRANSTINT SYLES: KAZE VS NABI
Interestingly, Mbatha drew a fascinating distinction between Kaze and current Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, whom he also worked with at Yanga.
While acknowledging Nabi’s tactical brilliance, he described him as a more ‘hands-off’ leader who expects players to arrive fully prepared and possessing a high level of understanding of their roles within his game model.
“Nabi is a tactician who comes in, expects things to be done, expects players to be ready… He is a thinker,” Mbatha explained. Kaze, in contrast, is deeply invested in individual player development, actively coaching and nurturing talent.
“Kaze has an element of trying to improve players. He coaches them,” Mbatha observed.
Mbatha revealed that his admiration for Kaze’s coaching style predates their time together at Young Africans.
He initially attempted to bring Kaze to Simba SC but was unsuccessful. However, he eventually secured his services during his stint at Timu ya Wananchi.
Kaze’s impressive CV, which includes experience working with Barcelona’s youth academy in Canada, played a significant role in attracting Mbatha.
“His CV was very impressive; when you speak to him, you could see that it’s someone who knows his game,” Mbatha shared. “That’s what drew me to him, and also, he’s an African that was plying his trade elsewhere in Canada. A person like that, when you bring him to Africa, he can find his feet.”
With both Usuthu and Amakhosi eyeing the Burundian, Kaze’s blend of tactical acumen and player development skills makes him a compelling candidate for either club.
As head coach of Yanga, he lifted the Tanzanian League Cup [Mapinduzi Cup]. With Nabi, he won two league titles and two FA Cup titles. They guided Yanga to the CAF Confederation Cup final. Kaze coached Burundi national teams – the U17, U20, U23 and the seniors.
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