Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has delivered a definitive verdict on the club’s 2025/26 campaign as he and technical partner Khalil Ben Youssef wrap up the season.
The Burundian and Ben Youssef were given the mandate to steer the Amakhosi ship in September 2025 after Nasreddine Nabi left his role as Chiefs head coach. It has been a season in which the Soweto giants blew hot and cold, leading to a love-hate relationship between the co-coaches and fans.
After Nabi guided Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup last season—ending the club’s 10-year trophy drought and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup—Kaze and Ben Youssef took the team to the group stage of the continental competition. However, they did not go beyond the group phase, and there was a period when confidence in the coaching duo sank, and fans demanded their sacking.
But they picked the team up to achieve what is arguably their biggest achievement in the league in years by guaranteeing Amakhosi a position three in the Betway Premiership with two games to go. That was the best finish for Chiefs since the 2029/20 season when they were runners-up to champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
While that achievement secures Amakhosi’s return to the Confed Cup for next season, Kaze reflected on a campaign he believes could have been better, especially with their current mandate at the helm set to expire at the end of the term.
A wave of uncertainty now engulfs the co-coaching duo, with the Soweto giants heavily linked with a hunt for a permanent head coach to disband the current twin-management system. However, a top-three finish might just force the decision-makers at Naturena to reconsider and stick with the tandem.
‘IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER’: KAZE ON CHIEFS’ SEASON
Speaking on what the future holds, Kaze dropped hints about their prospects by highlighting the foundation he and Ben Youssef laid, revealing that there are future ‘considerations’ in play.
“I can say that this season, the league had no dominating team. Everyone was competing, and we were very close until probably late January,” said Kaze. “But it’s a lesson that we learnt from what we could have done differently, maybe to stay in contact with the log leaders. But if you say the difference between the points now and the previous season, it’s true that there is a big difference. This team deserves better things.
“I’ll summarise that it was a good season. It could have been better, that’s for sure, and we know that we have laid the foundation for better things in future.
“We wanted to be higher up there and to compete for the [PSL] title until the end. But there are lessons that are being learned and put into consideration going forward.”
CHIEFS’ LUXURY OF PLAYING FOR PRESTIGE
Chiefs remain in Durban for their final game of the season next Saturday when they host Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Having already wrapped up third spot to play Confed Cup football next season, Amakhosi will be playing for prestige to end the term on a high.
“I would say Moses Mabhida has been very good to us. Durban has been very good to us throughout the season in the Confederation Cup and in the league,” Kaze went on.
“Every time we come here, the fans are there, they cheer us on, they give us that extra energy to go that mile. The only thing that I can say is that I’m very humbled by the support we get from our fans. That’s why we do everything we can to make them happy.
“I would also like to make a plea to them that Saturday will be our final home game here in Durban. Come out in numbers to support the club of your lives, and we will do everything to give you that job back.”
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