Amakhosi are preparing for another massive technical team shake-up. Fresh reports reveal that the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy has decided against renewing the contracts of co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, signaling the dawn of a new era at Naturena.
According to Soccer Beat reporter Kurt Buckerfield, the Glamour Boys will not exercise the options to extend the duo’s stay beyond the current campaign. Ben Youssef and Kaze originally stepped up from their assistant roles in October 2025 following the sudden departure of Nasreddine Nabi.
Steadying the Ship: The Ben Youssef & Kaze Legacy
While their tenure is coming to an end, the Tunisian and Burundian duo deserve credit for stabilizing an Amakhosi side that was rapidly sinking last year.
- League Revival: Chiefs are locked in to finish the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign in a respectable third place.
- Milestone Achieved: They hit the elusive 50-point mark for the first time in six years, accumulating 54 points so far.
- Top Eight Return: They successfully secured a spot in next season’s MTN8 tournament after back-to-back absences.
- Defensive Steel: Under their watch, goalkeeper Brandon Petersen turned into an absolute wall, keeping 15 clean sheets in the league.
The Catch? Despite a disciplined league run, their cautious and often underwhelming playing style frustrated the Naturena faithful. Combined with early exits in the Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup, alongside a disappointing group-stage exit in the CAF Confederation Cup, management ultimately decided a change in direction was necessary to meet the club’s silverware standards.
Is Manqoba Mngqithi the Chosen One?
With a vacancy looming, the rumor mill is spinning at top speed, and Golden Arrows tactician Manqoba Mngqithi has emerged as the frontrunner for the hot seat.
Mngqithi boasts an elite South African football CV, including five league titles and a CAF Champions League winner’s medal from his highly successful stint at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Why Mngqithi Fits the Naturena Mold:
- Exciting Football: He has transformed Golden Arrows into the third-highest scoring side in the division (34 goals in 29 matches), playing the brand of front-foot, attacking football Chiefs fans crave.
- Elite Talent Identification: He has a proven eye for recruitment, having successfully integrated standout stars like Junior Dion, Isaac Cissé, Ayabulela Maxwele, and captain Ayanda Jiyane.
- Youth Development Track Record: His history of nurturing elite young talent—such as Malibongwe Khoza and Kutlwano Letlaku during his Sundowns days—makes him the ideal candidate to unlock the potential of the Chiefs academy.
With continental and domestic pedigree overflowing, Mngqithi ticks every single box for what Kaizer Chiefs management needs to bring the glory days back to FNB Stadium.
