Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender Tsepo Masilela has identified two high-profile coaches he believes hold the key to restoring the club’s glory days.
Amakhosi are currently enduring a string of poor results under co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. The side has suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions.
This disastrous form has seen the Soweto giants’ dream of challenging for the league title hit a stumbling block, leaving them in sixth position on the Betway Premiership log standings with 30 points after 18 matches.
The Glamour Boys’ recent setbacks include a 3-0 drubbing by rivals Orlando Pirates, a 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC, and a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay FC. Their struggles also extended to the continental competition, where they succumbed 2-1 to Zamalek SC in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
Under-fire Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef are facing mounting pressure as the club’s form continues to decline.
The duo was appointed following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi, who left by mutual consent just a few games into the current campaign. Nabi was the architect of the club’s resurgence, famously ending a decade-long trophy drought last season by defeating Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final—a victory that secured their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, life after Nabi has been turbulent. Under the current technical team, the club has suffered early exits from both the Carling Knockout and the Nedbank Cup, leaving them on the brink of finishing the season empty-handed. Their continental ambitions also hit a dead end, following a disappointing group-stage exit from the Confed Cup.
TSEPO MASILELA’S TWO IDEAL COACHES THAT COULD TURN THINGS AROUND AT KAIZER CHIEFS
Masilela insists that the Soweto giants need to make a decisive decision about their current technical team to challenge the dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates. The retired left-back believes Chiefs should target either Benni McCarthy or Rulani Mokwena to steer the ship.
“I think at Chiefs, they do have good players. However, I’m not sure if they have quality players to challenge Sundowns and Pirates that we are watching today,” Masilela told SoccerBeat Podcast.
“They do have good players. I think if they hire either of the two coaches, Rulani Mokwena or Benni McCarthy, you would see their style of play or philosophy reflected in this current team. The players that are there can achieve great things.”
‘THEY KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME’: BENNI MCCARTHY
Interestingly, Benni McCarthy has left the door open for a potential move to Chiefs, confirming his readiness to engage with the club for the coaching top job at Naturena.
“They are a good team and have very good players [referring to Kaizer Chiefs]. If nobody came knocking on my door, that means that they are happy. You are happy with what you have because if you come and knock on someone’s door, you approach them [it means you are interested],” said McCarthy on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“There is a lot of ‘what ifs.’ They don’t exist to me because I have been in plenty of situations, even with Orlando Pirates. Very close to managing Pirates after my playing career, and then nothing materialised.
“So, ‘what ifs,’ no. If they want, they know where I am, where to find me, and how to contact me to make it happen. But if not, it’s just the rumours.”
Chiefs will return to action on Sunday, 15 March, against Durban City FC at home. The kick-off for this showdown is set for 15:30 at the FNB Stadium.
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