Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has landed a rare national team role ahead of the upcoming FIFA international window. The Burundi Football Association has reportedly approached Kaizer Chiefs to secure the temporary release of Kaze for an upcoming AFCON qualifying double-header.
Burundi are seeking to appoint Kaze in a technical advisory role for their crucial preliminary ties against Chad, with the matches scheduled for late March. The association is eager to have him on the bench to lend his tactical expertise.
The 44-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having worked across all levels of Burundi’s national teams – from Under 17 to the senior side – between 2007 and 2015. At club level, he enjoyed notable success with Atlético Olympic, leading them to back-to-back league titles in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, while also earning Coach of the Year honours in both campaigns.
Kaze later expanded his footprint in regional football, taking on roles in Rwanda and Tanzania. During his time with Young Africans, he lifted the Mapinduzi Cup before serving as assistant to Nasreddine Nabi in a highly successful spell that yielded two league titles and a CAF Confederation Cup runners-up finish.
THE REQUEST TO KAIZER CHIEFS
While the matches occur during the FIFA international break, Amakhosi are currently facing a challenging period in the Betway Premiership. Their start to the season has been their most promising in recent years.
But a slump last month saw them exit the CAF Confederation Cup and slip from third place in the title race. However, a win against Durban City last weekend may have boosted their confidence. They take on Magesi FC in a home tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday as they look to climb the table.
Thereafter, Chiefs are next in action on April 7 against Orbit College FC. It seems to allow Kaze time to honour the invite.
Kaze has been credited with revitalising the team’s backline. Under his guidance, the Soweto giants have evolved from a side struggling to keep clean sheets into one of the league’s most formidable defences.
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