Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef Face Defining Final Games as Kaizer Chiefs Weigh Technical Team Future
Interest continues to grow around Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef as they prepare for the final two matches of their co-coaching spell at Kaizer Chiefs. The duo has guided the club to third place in the league standings, marking one of the most significant improvements in recent years for the Soweto giants. Their work has come after a difficult period that saw questions raised about former coach Nasreddine Nabi and eventually led to his departure. Chiefs supporters entered the season desperate for stability, improved performances, and a return to continental football. Kaze and Ben Youssef have delivered much of that, which has now created serious debate about whether the club should continue with the current technical leadership beyond this season.
Securing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages again has already been viewed as an important achievement for Amakhosi. The club has also shown far greater consistency in league competition compared to previous campaigns. Chiefs can still finish the season on 57 points if they win their remaining fixtures against AmaZulu FC and Chippa United. Reaching that mark would equal the total achieved by Ernst Middendorp during the dramatic 2019/20 season when the league title slipped away on the final day. For a club that has struggled for consistency over the past decade, matching that tally would represent major progress and strengthen the argument for continuity.
The numbers behind the current coaching arrangement tell a compelling story. Since the 2014/15 title-winning campaign, Chiefs have struggled to maintain high points totals under several coaches. Steve Komphela reached a best of 50 points during his three seasons in charge, while combinations involving Giovanni Solinas and Middendorp managed 39 points. Gavin Hunt collected 36 points, and Stuart Baxter managed 47 points during his second spell. Arthur Zwane reached 44 points, while Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson combined for just 36 points. Kaze and Ben Youssef have already surpassed many of those totals with two matches still left to play, which highlights the level of progress achieved under their leadership.
Their success has complicated decision-making for the hierarchy at Naturena. The club has spent years changing coaches in search of quick solutions, but the constant turnover has often produced instability instead of improvement. Many observers still remember how Middendorp was dismissed despite finishing second in the league. That decision triggered another cycle of inconsistency that eventually saw Chiefs fall as low as 10th place under Johnson. The current leadership now faces a difficult question about whether changing direction again would repeat the mistakes of the past. While some doubts remain around Kaze and Ben Youssef, much of the criticism appears linked more to perception than to actual results on the field.
Another factor working in favor of the coaching pair is the mentality they have restored within the squad. Chiefs have looked more competitive in key matches and have shown greater discipline across the campaign. Winning more than half of their league games has given supporters renewed belief that the club is moving in the right direction. Their qualification for the group stages of the Confederation Cup for the first time also demonstrated progress on the continental stage. The technical duo has managed to improve both results and confidence within the squad despite operating under intense pressure and constant scrutiny.
At this stage, the club’s leadership has not made a final decision regarding the technical team for next season. Interest in the job remains high, with several enquiries and applications reportedly submitted behind the scenes. However, Chiefs have not rushed into negotiations or appointments, which signals a more cautious and calculated approach than in previous years. The club appears determined to avoid emotional decision-making and instead focus on long-term stability. That shift in thinking could play a major role in determining whether Kaze and Ben Youssef remain in charge after the season concludes.
For now, both coaches remain focused on completing the task in front of them. Their attention is fixed on the final two fixtures and the opportunity to finish the campaign strongly. A 57-point finish would further strengthen their case and provide additional evidence that the club is rebuilding in the right direction. Key meetings are expected to take place after Chiefs play their final match on May 23, with the technical team decision set to dominate discussions at Naturena. Whatever decision is eventually made, the performances under Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have already reignited an important conversation about patience, stability, and the value of sustained progress at Kaizer Chiefs.
