Kaizer Chiefs coaching future: can the co coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze win a long-term role as the team climbs to third and eyes CAF glory?

The murmurs and debates around the Kaizer Chiefs coaching future are growing louder than ever, especially with the club’s recent resurgence in form under co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Despite a challenging start to the season and previous managerial changes, Amakhosi find themselves in a fascinating predicament: keep the duo who are delivering results, or still pursue a high-profile coach to lead them into the next era? It’s a question that has supporters across South Africa eagerly awaiting the club’s next move, as the weight of history and the desire for silverware heavily influence the ongoing discussions about the Kaizer Chiefs coaching future.

Key details regarding the Kaizer Chiefs coaching future

• Previous Interim Coach: From October 2023 to July 2024, Cavin Johnson served as the interim head coach after the sacking of Molefi Ntseki. Johnson then returned to his role as Head of Academy.
• Nasreddine Nabi’s Tenure: Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi was appointed as head coach in July 2024. He assembled his own technical team, including Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze as assistants.
• Nabi’s Departure: On 10 October 2025, Kaizer Chiefs and Nasreddine Nabi mutually agreed to part ways, concluding his 15-month tenure.
• Current Co-Coaches: Following Nabi’s departure, his assistants, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, were promoted to co-coaches to lead the technical team for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
• Initial Performance: Under the co-coaches, the team had a mixed start, recording one win, three draws, and one loss in their first five matches.
• Recent Form (April 2026): The team has enjoyed a significant upturn in results, achieving five consecutive victories in the Betway Premiership. This includes a notable 4-1 win over Magesi FC.
• League Position: As of April 2026, Kaizer Chiefs are in third place in the Betway Premiership standings with 45 points from 23 matches, marking their highest points tally in four seasons.
• Management Mandate: Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr had set a clear mandate for the coaching staff: secure a CAF Champions League spot, which requires a first or second-place finish in the league. A third-place finish would secure a CAF Confederation Cup spot.
• Contract Status: The futures of co-coaches Ben Youssef and Kaze are currently under review, with the club delaying key contract decisions for both the technical team and several players (e.g., Bruce Bvuma, Zitha Kwinika, Dillan Solomons, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Pule Mmodi, Gaston Sirino) until the end of the season.
• Potential Candidates: High-profile names frequently linked with the permanent coaching role include Pitso Mosimane, Benni McCarthy, Dan Malesela, Eric Tinkler, and Owen Da Gama.

A full summary of Kaizer Chiefs’ current coaching situation

The legendary Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, find themselves at a pivotal crossroads concerning their Kaizer Chiefs coaching future. After a period of instability and underperformance, the club is currently navigated by co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Their journey to the helm began in a rather fluid fashion, following a series of changes in the technical department. Back in October 2023, Cavin Johnson stepped in as interim coach after Molefi Ntseki’s departure, leading the team until July 2024 before reverting to his role as Head of Academy.

The club then welcomed highly-rated Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi in July 2024, hoping he would bring the much-needed stability and success. Nabi brought his own team, including Ben Youssef and Kaze as assistants. However, after a tenure of 15 months, marked by mixed results despite winning the Nedbank Cup during the 2024-25 season, Nabi and the club mutually agreed to part ways on 10 October 2025.

This led to the elevation of Ben Youssef and Kaze to co-coaches for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. Initially, their impact wasn’t immediately clear, with a patchy record in their first few matches. However, as April 2026 rolls around, something has clicked. The team has embarked on an impressive run, securing five consecutive victories in the Betway Premiership, including a convincing 4-1 triumph over Magesi FC. This fantastic form has propelled them to third place in the league, accumulating 45 points, which is their highest tally in four seasons.

This recent success has created a fascinating dilemma for the club’s management. Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr had previously outlined a clear objective: secure a spot in the CAF Champions League, meaning a top-two finish in the league. While the current trajectory might see them qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup by finishing third, the question remains whether this is enough to retain the co-coaches permanently. Reports indicate that the club has put key contract decisions for both the technical staff and several players on hold until the season concludes, allowing any potential new coach to have a say in squad composition.

This uncertainty fuels constant speculation about the permanent Kaizer Chiefs coaching future. Names like the highly decorated Pitso Mosimane, often considered the “dream pick” by many, continue to surface. Former Orlando Pirates striker and Manchester United coach, Benni McCarthy, has also openly expressed his desire to coach the Glamour Boys, a club he supported growing up. Other potential candidates mentioned include Dan Malesela, known for his “entertaining football” philosophy, and even recently available Eric Tinkler, though some analysts are cautious about that timing. Former Orlando Pirates coach Owen Da Gama has also put his name forward. As the season draws to a close, the footballing world, especially the passionate Amakhosi faithful, will be watching closely to see what direction the club takes. For more trending football news and discussions, check out Student Portal Trending.

Questions and answers about the Kaizer Chiefs coaching future

Here are some questions a community member might have about the Kaizer Chiefs coaching situation:

• Who are the current Kaizer Chiefs coaches?
  The current coaches are Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, who are serving as co-coaches.
• How long have the current coaches been in charge?
  They took over as co-coaches in October 2025, after the departure of Nasreddine Nabi.
• What is Kaizer Chiefs’ current league position?
  As of April 2026, Kaizer Chiefs are in third place in the Betway Premiership.
• Are the current coaches expected to stay beyond this season?
  Their futures are currently under review, and the club is delaying contract decisions until the end of the season.
• What are the club’s objectives for this season regarding the coaches?
  Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr’s mandate for the coaching staff was to secure a CAF Champions League spot (top two finish). A third-place finish would lead to CAF Confederation Cup qualification.
• Which high-profile coaches are being linked with the Kaizer Chiefs job?
  Names frequently mentioned include Pitso Mosimane, Benni McCarthy, Dan Malesela, Eric Tinkler, and Owen Da Gama.
• Why is there so much uncertainty around the Kaizer Chiefs coaching future?
  The club has been through several coaching changes and a prolonged trophy drought. The recent upturn in form under the current co-coaches, coupled with high expectations from management and fans, creates a complex decision-making process.