Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Ben Youssef face a pivotal test against Siwlele FC as they aim to restore early-season momentum and satisfy demanding fans. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The flying start to the campaign that had Kaizer Chiefs fans believing their club was ready to challenge for the championship, is now a distant memory. Amakhosi and Betway Premiership victories have suddenly become like the parallel lines of a railway track — destined never to meet.
Granted, the Glamour Boys are still sitting fourth, with 15 points, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a mere six points, having played two matches fewer than the reigning champions. Mathematically, they are still in the hunt for their first title since being crowned champions back in 2015 under Stuart Baxter.
But recent poor form, which saw coach Nasreddine Nabi sacked, has undermined their assertion that they have what it takes to dethrone Sundowns. Of particular disappointment has been their inability to secure maximum points at the FNB Stadium, which they had hoped to turn into a fortress.
Since suffering a 3-1 defeat to Eric Tinkler’s Sekhukhune United in a then top-of-the-table clash in mid-September, Amakhosi are yet to win at the calabash. They played 1-1 draws against both Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu, angering fans who voiced their frustrations by chasing the players away at the end of the Usuthu clash when they attempted to acknowledge supporters post-match.
Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Ben Youssef have since been given the lead role on a permanent basis until the end of the season and are under pressure to prove themselves worthy of the position. Their first opportunity comes on Wednesday night when Siwlele FC visits.
It is a potential banana skin Chiefs cannot afford to slip on, especially with their participation in continental competition hanging by a thread after failing to score in their trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they drew 0-0 with AS Simba. For one, there is a risk the players’ focus could be divided as they anticipate the second leg this weekend.
But Kaze is a seasoned campaigner. His previous co-role as translator for Nabi had sometimes overshadowed his own credentials, yet the Burundian coach has worked at nearly every level of the game and in various parts of the world with good results. He could well take Chiefs to a higher level.
The co-coach arrangement with Youssef, however, could prove challenging, as such setups have generally been unsuccessful in the domestic league.
Kaze comes across as a sober-minded coach and is clearly not one for statuses. The fact he became assistant coach to Nabi at Young Africans after previously serving as head coach is testament to his humility.
Looking ahead to their clash against Siwlele, fresh from a tough match against Simba, Kaze was calm and measured, admitting that Leholhonolo Seema’s team will provide stiff competition.
Chiefs need to return to their early-season winning ways quickly. A victory at their home ground would go a long way to appeasing impatient fans, but more importantly, it would confirm that management’s decision to entrust Kaze and Youssef with the caretaker coaching duties was the right one.
A strong performance could also make a compelling case for their permanent appointment next season.