Did Kaizer Chiefs assistant coaches betray Nabi? Kaze responds

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have been thrown into the spotlight in the last one week following the departure of their boss Nasreddine Nabi.

Nabi agreed to part ways with Chiefs last week, a shocking decision, given he had just started his second season in charge of the Glamour Boys and his team had flown off the blocks, before suffering their first league loss on matchday six.

That left Ben Youssef and Kaze in charge, although their future is still not known, but the duo have faced accusations of betraying Nabi, whose main reason for his departure is still not known, although there has been reports that he is set to return home to be with his sick wife who was involved in an accident last month.

Kaze dismisses Nabi betrayal claims

However, Kaze has dismissed such assertions, saying he enjoys a great working relationship with Nabi, who he has known for a number of years, and also worked under at Tanzanian giants Yanga between 2021 and 2023.

“I’ve known coach Nabi for a couple of years, I have worked with him and as each other, we know the situation of the coaching job,” Kaze said ahead of Chiefs’ CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round second leg match against Angolan club Kabuscorp on Saturday.

“Today he is not here – and I’m pretty sure that he will be proud that we will continue where he left off and bring the club where it belongs.

How have Chiefs assistants performed?

“Coach Khalil and myself are leading the team for tomorrow’s game, there’s no disruption in that and every decision we take, we ensure we’re in a good space for tomorrow’s game.”

Ben Youssef and Kaze led Chiefs in their opening three games of the season, when they beat Stellenbosch FC, Polokwane City and Richards Bay, as Nabi had been on compassionate leave, before he returned for the following three matches only to be reported that he is leaving a day after Amakhosi suffered their first loss of the campaign to Sekhukhune United.

The two have, however, not enjoyed a great start at their second bite of the cherry with Chiefs losing 1-0 away to Kabuscorp before the 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday.