Kaizer Chiefs’ second assistant coach Cedric Kaze has singled out an Amakhosi player he considers an unsung hero as they continue to grind through the challenging 2025/26 season.
Known for his confidence-boosting approach with sidelined players, Kaze has been leading the team alongside Khalil Ben Youssef following Nasreddine Nabi’s suspension from club activities.
There is still uncertainty regarding Nabi’s future, as the Tunisian coach has not sat on the bench for the club in over two weeks. The last time Nabi was in the dugout was during the 3-1 loss to Sekhukhune United on September 16.
Under the guidance of Kaze and Ben Youssef, Chiefs have played four matches: one win, one loss, and two draws. They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kabuscorp in Angola, but redeemed themselves with a similar scoreline victory in the return match. The Soweto giants advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup after winning a penalty shootout.
Their two draws, both 1-1, came against Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC at the FNB Stadium. On Sunday, they turn their focus to the Carling Knockout Cup, where they play Stellenbosch FC at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Kick off is 3PM.
Speaking during a Carling Knockout Cup press conference on Thursday, Kaze noted there has been an ever-present player since the start of the season.
WHO IS KAIZER CHIEFS’ UNSUNG HERO ACCORDING TO KAZE?
“I would say you have players like ‘Ox’ [Sibongiseni Mthethwa] that has been criticised a lot. But he’s a player who works so much for the team. I call him an unsung hero,” Kaze said.
“He’s a player who doesn’t look for praise. He’s a player who doesn’t do flashy things, but he works for the team. He does the dirty job that nobody wants to do because he tracks back. He goes tackling people…”
Coincidentally, after the former Stellies player delivered an outstanding five-star performance on Wednesday against Usuthu, Ben Youssef praised him, emphasising his positive attitude and strong work ethic. The 31-year-old midfielder has started seven of the eight league matches and the two legs of the CAF Confed fixture.
“He provides us with a lot of stability, especially defensively, and is the only player who has played every game for the full 90 minutes. He is certainly one of our key players,” Ben Youssef said.
Last season, Kaze believed that Yusuf Maart, who now plays for the Austrian Bundesliga club SV Ried, was also underappreciated by the fans.
“Last season, a player like Yusuf Maart was criticised a lot, but he played with a big mentality. He gave us the Nedbank Cup. But I’m speaking about that because I am here as a coach, and I will protect my players. I will protect my players because they do everything they can. It’s true that the result is not there, but they are working very hard. And we can promise them [fans] that the result is going to come because the team is coming together.”
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