Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has reacted to the club’s successful continental qualification, speaking out on the importance of a powerhouse like Amakhosi maintaining a consistent presence in the CAF inter-club competitions.
Amakhosi qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup for the second time in a row after their 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday evening.
With the encounter appearing destined for another stalemate—a recurring theme for Amakhosi during a recent string of draws—Tashreeq Morris and Mfundo Vilakazi struck late to secure a vital return to winning ways.
The victory carries immense weight for the coaching duo of Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. By securing continental football, they have successfully delivered on the mandate set by the club’s management, who had prioritised a return to CAF competition as one of the objectives for the campaign.
The three points propel the Glamour Boys to the 51-point mark, effectively ending AmaZulu FC’s pursuit of a top-three finish. While Usuthu sit on 44 points, they can only amass a maximum of 50 from their remaining fixtures, mathematically confirming Chiefs’ continental status with two games to spare.
WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR KAIZER CHIEFS TO FINISH IN THE TOP THREE
Chiefs’ third-place finish also means they will finish in the top half of the Premiership for the first time since 2020. This is after two miserable seasons where the Soweto giants failed to qualify for the MTN8, finishing outside the top eight.
“I think a lot of times we said that the minimum that we can do this season is to be in the top three, so that we can play again in the CAF,” said Ben Youssef. “I think for a team that is one of the biggest in South Africa and Africa, this is the minimum that we can do. At least for now, we have qualified for CAF next season. Congratulations to the fans, the board, the technical team and the players.
“It’s not only our work, but a lot of people behind the scenes. You saw the performance of the keeper, the defence behind him. If you see the team and the players coming out of the squad,” he added.
“I always say to them [players] that you are like the military, so you have to be ready for any game. There is a fitness coach, an analyst and the doctor. So I want to say congratulations to everybody. As I said, it’s the minimum that we can do for the team.”
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