Kaze aims dig at ex-Kaizer Chiefs coach as he hints at leaving

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has defended his record at the club, saying the Glamour Boys are on an upward trajectory under him and co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef.

Kaze and Ben Youssef have been criticised for lacking the experience to manage a huge club like Chiefs since they were elevated from Nasreddine Nabi’s assistants to co-coaches until the end of the season last September.

The two had started 2026 well with Chiefs firmly in the PSL title race, CAF Confederation Cup and yet to play in the Nedbank Cup.

Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

However, by the start of March, they were out of all competitions and now a top three position in the league is the best they can achieve.

Kaze defends Kaizer Chiefs rein

Kaze maintains that Chiefs have had a great season thus far compared to what they managed last term, saying that a top three position is within reach and if they do that, they would have done better than any coach in the last 10 years.

“Today we are in sixth position and the one in third [Sekhukhune United] is three points ahead us, we have two games in hand,” Kaze told the media on Thursday.

🎙️ Cedric Kaze:

"If we finish top three, at the end of the season we leave saying we have done an incredible job.”#KaizerChiefs | @iDiskiTimes pic.twitter.com/1io17KaoVl
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) March 12, 2026

“I am not saying we will win those games but we will try everything we do and for me as a coach, if this team finishes top three at the end of the season, I can even leave and say that I have accomplished what no one has accomplished in the last 10 years,” he added defiantly.

Upon realising that Ernst Middendorp’s Chiefs finished second in the 2019-20 season, Kaze poured cold water on that achievement, claiming they were ugly to watch.

Ernst Middendorp when he workked at Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Tactician hits out at Middendorp’s side

“But there was someone who finished second. I think four, five years ago, but he finished second with 22 goals on set-pieces,” added the Burundian coach. “A lot of long balls but at the end of the season if we finish top three, we leave and say that we have done an incredible job.”

Chiefs’ runners-up place in 2019-2020 remains their best position since winning the PSL in 2014-15 with a third place in 2017-18 under Patrick Mabedi the next best position since they were crowned.

Kaizer Chiefs players training. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Last season, the Glamour Boys could only manage ninth place with 32 points under Kaze and Ben Youssef’s ex-boss Nabi but with 30 points from 18 games, they have a chance to win more points at finish at least third in the 12 remaining matches, given the top two sides Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are already 17 points ahead.

Chiefs will host fourth-placed Durban City on Sunday, hoping to end their run of four straight losses.