Vilakazi: Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef Criticised for Ignoring Kaizer Chiefs’ ‘Lionel Messi’
- Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have been called by a former AmaZulu FC midfielder
- The South African midfielder blasts the Glamour Boys managers for failing to maximise the potential of the club's Lionel Messi
- The Soweto giants were also advised to part ways with the two managers and bring in a better tactician for next season
Former AmaZulu midfielder Mlungisi Ngubane has raised doubts about the capabilities of Kaizer Chiefs’ co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
Source: Instagram
Ngubane argues that the pair lack the experience and tactical knowledge required to manage a top-tier club like Chiefs, suggesting that a club of their stature needs a coach accustomed to winning.
Kaze and Ben Youssef stepped into the coaching roles at Amakhosi in September 2025, taking over from Tunisian tactician Nasreddine Nabi, who was sacked earlier this season, in a co-coaching arrangement following his departure.
Kaizer Chiefs’ potential is overlooked
Kaze and Ben Youssef's tenure has been inconsistent, with Kaizer Chiefs eliminated from all cup competitions and now only competing for the Betway Premiership and could end the season trophyless.
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Ngubane believes the club erred in promoting the duo, noting their failure to maximise the potential of promising young talents such as Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala.
Source: Twitter
“The physical size of a player should not be a limitation; Vilakazi is comparable to elite players like Lionel Messi. Yet Kaze and Youssef appear hesitant to trust the club’s emerging stars,” Ngubane told KickOff, urging Chiefs to consider replacing the co-coaches with experienced names like Pitso Mosimane or Rulani Mokwena.
Pitso Mosimane has been linked with the Kaizer Chiefs job for the past two seasons, but the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach is yet to be approached by the Soweto-based club despite being seen at the club's training facilities when he's in South Africa.
Calls for a coaching change
The former Durban Bush Bucks midfielder also criticised the pair’s presence on the touchline, describing them as merely acting as ‘translators’ for Nabi.
He proposes their immediate dismissal, with reserve team coaches Vela Khumalo and Dillon Sheppard temporarily taking charge due to their deep understanding of the club and its youth system.
The two coaches started 2026 on a good note, but they lost it in their recent matches, and it's looking like the Glamour Boys might end the season on a sad note.
Source: Twitter
Under Kaze and Ben Youssef, Chiefs have played 21 matches, securing nine victories, but suffered critical defeats, including two losses to Stellenbosch, which eliminated them from the Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup, and a loss to Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend.
Kaze explains Chiefs’ quiet January transfer window
Briefly News also reported that Coach Cedric Kaze explained why Kaizer Chiefs were relatively quiet during the January transfer window.
The Glamour Boys made only one signing, which is in no way comparable to the transfer dealings of their rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
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Source: Briefly News
