Ahead of a pivotal CAF Confederation Cup clash, Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has issued a rallying cry to his squad. With Group D on a knife-edge, the Tunisian tactician has made it clear that while tactics and “90-minute management” are key, the result is the only metric that matters today.
Speaking to the media before the Matchday 5 face-off against Al Masry SC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Ben Youssef emphasized the respect his side has for their Egyptian opponents while demanding a warrior-like spirit from the Glamour Boys.
The Coach’s Corner: “Manage the 90 Minutes”
Ben Youssef’s message was a blend of tactical pragmatism and high-intensity motivation. After a narrow 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in Egypt, he knows there is no room for error.
“The most important thing is that we need to win this game. We think also about the different goals [permutations], but let’s say the first thing that we have to manage is 90 minutes.”
Addressing the pedigree of the North African side, he added:
“We’ll play against one of the biggest teams also in Africa. I think Al Masry, they’ve got a lot of experience in this competition. So we have to fight.”
Permutations for the Quarter-Finals
Both teams sit on 7 points, but Al Masry currently holds the advantage due to their head-to-head victory in Cairo.
- Chiefs Win (1-0 or 2-0): Would secure a ticket to the quarter-finals today.
- Chiefs Win (By 2+ goals): Would jump over Al Masry in the standings.
- The Goal: A clean sheet is vital. Chiefs have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the CAFCC (both 1-0 wins over ZESCO), and Ben Youssef is looking to maintain that defensive solidity.
Tactical Key Points
- Managing Fatigue: Chiefs are coming off a grueling midweek Nedbank Cup loss to Stellenbosch. Ben Youssef noted the physical toll but praised the players’ “legs and heart” for the continental cause.
- The “Egypt” Curse: Historically, Chiefs have struggled against Egyptian clubs, winning only 1 of their previous 8 meetings. Ben Youssef is determined to rewrite that history on home soil.
- Key Duel: Al Masry’s leading scorer Mohamed Hashem vs. Chiefs’ defensive anchor Inacio Miguel will likely decide the outcome.
