Yusuf Maart: The Heart-Wrenching Choice Behind My Chiefs Exit

Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has finally broken his silence regarding his departure from Naturena, revealing that the lure of a European dream outweighed the club’s desperate pleas for him to stay.

The 30-year-old midfielder left a massive void in the Amakhosi lineup when he joined Austrian side SV Ried in July 2025. His exit came just months after he achieved legendary status by scoring the decisive goal in the Nedbank Cup final, securing a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates and ending the club’s agonizing 10-year trophy drought.

A Secret Meeting and a Difficult Choice

Speaking on the Soccerbeat platform, Maart clarified that his move was not a snap decision but a carefully planned transition that began long before the 2024/25 season concluded.

• The Zoom Call: Maart revealed that SV Ried had initiated contact three months before the end of the season. “They called me for a Zoom meeting with my agent… I told them if everything is good, why not? I’m ready to take the next step,” Maart shared.
• The Coaches’ Resistance: Upon returning from his holiday in Cape Town, Maart spent three weeks training at Naturena. During this time, the Kaizer Chiefs technical team made their stance clear. Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef reportedly “disagreed” with the move, urging their captain to lead the team for a few more seasons.
• Age and Opportunity: At 30, Maart felt the clock was ticking. “For me, it was an opportunity at my age… I didn’t want to miss out on playing in Europe and seeing what it feels like,” he explained.

Legacy of the “Ten-Year Breaker”

Maart leaves South Africa with his name etched in gold. Having led the team to their first piece of silverware in a decade, he was arguably the most popular figure at the club during his final months.

While the Chiefs hierarchy was reluctant to lose their midfield general, the persistent negotiations from SV Ried—combined with Maart’s personal ambition—eventually paved the way for the historic transfer following the Austrian club’s promotion.

Yusuf Maart: Stats at a Glance