Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Return date for long-term absentee, another ex-coach sacked & more

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Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Return date for long-term absentee, another ex-coach sacked & more

Latest Kaizer Chiefs news, including a positive update on defender Rushwin Dortley’s long comeback and the sacking of a former Amakhosi co-coach.

Dortley steps up Kaizer Chiefs comeback

Rushwin Dortley of Kaizer Chiefs.
Rushwin Dortley of Kaizer Chiefs. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs are hopeful that defender Rushwin Dortley can return from the FIFA break in better shape as he continues to rebuild his fitness after a lengthy injury absence.

The 24-year-old was named on the bench for Chiefs’ league fixture against Golden Arrows with his knee strapped. It was the first time he had been in a matchday squad since the defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on 1 March 2025, when Nasreddine Nabi was still in charge.

Dortley has endured an 18-month absence, missed 63 matches for Amakhosi and undergone two operations. His recovery also cost him a place at the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kaizer Chiefs' Rushwin Dortley.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Rushwin Dortley. Image – Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs have been cautious with his workload, but head coach Fernando da Cruz will want to give him minutes before the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on 31 October. Before that, Amakhosi have a CAF Confederation Cup tie against Zambian club Red Arrows, one league match and a Carling KnockOut first-round game.

Dortley is now training fully and needs only to regain match fitness. With Chiefs short of natural left-footed centre-backs, his return would be a big boost for the Glamour Boys.

Former Amakhosi boss losses job

Meanwhile, former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has been sacked by Durban City with immediate effect.

The Tunisian guided Chiefs to a third-place finish last season alongside Cedric Kaze, before both men left when their contracts expired. They landed new top-flight jobs in the off-season, with Kaze joining Sekhukhune United and Ben Youssef replacing Pitso Dladla, who is now at Golden Arrows, at Durban City.

Khalil Ben Youssef
Khalil Ben Youssef, Durban City

The decision was taken by the club’s board on Saturday after training, just 10 games into the 37-year-old’s tenure. As first reported by FARPost, Ben Youssef confirmed the news to iDiski Times but declined to comment further.

He won three, drew four and lost three of his 10 matches, two of those defeats coming against reigning league champions Orlando Pirates.

His exit is the latest in a run of early-season casualties. Kaze, Lehlohonolo Seema, Phuti Mohafe and Ronnie Gabriel have also lost their jobs, with the axe falling again during the first FIFA break of the campaign.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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