Kaizer Chiefs’ second assistant coach Cedric Kaze has spoken out on his future alongside the first assistant Khali Ben Youssef after the Soweto giants crashed out of the Carling Knockout Cup in the first round against Stellenbosch FC.
The two coaches led Chiefs to a disappointing 5-4 defeat on penalties against Stellies in the Round of 16 of the Beer Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The game ended goalless after extra time.
Kaze and Ben Youssef have taken over the coaching role after Amakhosi requested head coach Nasreddine Nabi to step aside, with his exit from the club being finalised.
The Tunisian coach has been with the Soweto giants since July 2024 after joining from Moroccan side AS FAR. Nabi had a challenging first season at Chiefs after they finished ninth on the league table in the previous campaign. However, he ended Chiefs’ trophy drought that lasted for a decade. The Glamour Boys lifted the Nedbank Cup trophy. This is after they beat rivals Orlando Pirates in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in May.
The Nedbank Cup glory saw Chiefs secure qualification in the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2025/26 season. Chiefs began their continental journey with a 5-4 win on penalties against Angolan side Kabuscorp SCP. They had played to a 1-1 draw over two legs.
WHAT KAZE SAID ABOUT HIS KAIZER CHIEFS FUTURE
Kaze and Ben Youssef have struggled to deliver positive results for Kaizer Chiefs in recent matches, a difficult run capped by their early exit from the Carling Knockout Cup.
Amakhosi’s showings have sparked serious concern among supporters, leading many to question the coaches’ leadership capabilities.
Kaze, who joined the Naturena-based side as an assistant to Nabi, has revealed their status is unchanged: they are in charge until management decides otherwise.”I believe that question should be directed to the management,” Kaze stated when asked if he and Ben Youssef were following Nabi out the exit door.
“As of right now, we are the coaches of Kaizer Chiefs. Should anything else be decided by the management, I’m pretty sure they will let everyone know.”
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