Former Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Jabu Mahlangu feels club management has set an out-of-reach target for embattled co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
Last week, Amakhosi sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr said the coaches’ mandate is to secure a CAF Champions League berth for next season. That means Chiefs finishing in the top two in this Betway Premiership campaign.
But the Soweto giants are currently in dire straits, facing the possibility of missing out on a top-eight finish for a third successive season. That would deny them an opportunity to participate in the MTN8 next season.
Currently languishing in sixth place, Chiefs find themselves 17 points adrift of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and 14 points behind second-placed Orlando Pirates, who remain locked in a ferocious two-horse race for the title.
Amakhosi have been enduring a difficult run of form, marked by a run of four consecutive defeats in the CAF Confederation and PSL.
That has placed Kaze and Ben Youssef under immense pressure, with much of the blame for the poor results apportioned to them. Now, a mandate to play Champions League football has been imposed on the coaches.
OVERAMBITIOUS TARGET FOR KAZE AND BEN YOUSSEF, ACCORDING TO MAHLANGU
Mathematically, Chiefs are within a chance to finish in the top two, but Mahlangu believes it is not realistically possible.
“I’m happy to hear the sporting director [Kaizer Jr] being ambitious, talking about how the team still has high hopes to compete against the best on the African continent,” said Mahlangu on SABC Sport’s Soccer Zone.
“But the mandate they have given [the coaches], for me, that’s where I have some worry. Is it realistic? Personally, I don’t think it’s realistic.
“Right now, I think for this season, Chiefs should fight for a top-eight position and then build from there.”
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