Kaizer Chiefs Confirm Departure of Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze as Technical Restructure Begins

Kaizer Chiefs have entered a new phase of change after confirming the departure of co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze from the club. The Soweto-based side made the announcement during the week as part of ongoing adjustments to their technical structure ahead of the next season. The decision follows a challenging period in the Betway Premiership where results fell short of expectations. The club stated that both coaches had reached the end of their two-year contracts. This move signals a clear intention to reset and rebuild key areas of the team.

The official statement from Kaizer Chiefs highlighted appreciation for the work done by both Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze during their time at Naturena. Both coaches initially arrived as part of the technical team under former head coach Nasreddine Nabi before taking on greater responsibility later in the project. After Nabi’s exit in October 2025, the pair stepped into leading roles and carried the team through the remainder of the season. Their leadership period included managing a demanding fixture schedule across domestic and continental competitions. The club emphasized gratitude, stating that their dedication and contribution would be remembered despite the recent separation.

On the performance side, the coaching duo guided Kaizer Chiefs through a season that showed some progress in results but still fell short of major silverware. The team achieved 54 points in the league, which stands as their second-best league tally in the past eleven years. In continental competition, Chiefs narrowly missed progression in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after finishing level on 10 points and being eliminated on goal difference. Across the 2025 to 2026 campaign, the team played 39 matches in total across all competitions. Their record included 19 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses, reflecting a mixed but competitive run.

The exits of Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze come at a time when Kaizer Chiefs are clearly restructuring their technical team. The club is under pressure to improve consistency and challenge more strongly in both domestic and continental competitions. The departure of conditioning coach Majdi Safi at the end of his contract adds another layer to the ongoing changes behind the scenes. These developments are likely to intensify speculation around who will take over the head coaching responsibilities next. The club has indicated that more announcements will follow as preparations for the new season continue.

Kaizer Chiefs now face a critical rebuilding period where leadership decisions will shape their immediate future. Stability in the technical team will be a priority after a season of mixed outcomes and near misses. The foundation left by the outgoing coaches includes measurable improvements in points and competitiveness, but expectations remain higher at the club. Supporters will now look for clarity on the next direction and the identity of the incoming technical leadership. The focus shifts to how quickly the club can convert this transition into stronger performances on the pitch.