Ben Youssef Unveils Winning Formula After Chiefs’ Two Big Wins
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef credits intense team meetings and a winning mindset for their strong start, securing two crucial victories in the Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup post-AFCON break.
As the season resumed post the Africa Cup of Nations, Amakhosi beat Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership midweek and followed that up with a 1-0 win over ZESCO in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
Following these two wins, Amakhosi are in third position with 27 points after 14 games in the Betway Premiership, and in the Confederation Cup, they are also in third position with four points in three games played.
Speaking after their first-ever triumph in Zambia against ZESCO, Ben Youssef highlighted what led them to start the year on a high note as they won both games of January.
“We have a lot of meetings with the players and discuss the importance of winning,” Ben Youssef said.
“Now we think of winning the games more than displaying good football, but we have to enjoy football. I think even last year we played a lot of games very well, but unfortunately, we were not able to score.
“Whatever we do, we must remember the importance of winning the games and getting three points. The only thing that keeps us in a good position is three points, so we’ll be happy with whatever type of football we play as long as we win.”
This coming weekend, the 2025 Nedbank Cup champions will face ZESCO United again in the second round match at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The former Young Africans assistant coach added about their main objectives in the Confederation Cup ahead of the game against ZESCO.
“I think from the beginning, we discussed our participation in the CAF; the first thing is that we must be in the group stage, and we did that,” he added.
“Since we’re in the group stage, we’re managing game by game. Now we’re third in the log, having watched Zamalek and Masry draw each other on Sunday.
“It’s three games, so we’ll take it game by game as a cup game. But now we have to focus on Marumo Gallants, whom we’re facing on Wednesday, and we need to win so that we’ll continue to fight in the PSL also.
“We also have to discuss the second game against ZESCO; we have to watch these games and prepare for the game as well.”
After facing ZESCO again, the last two games for Amakhosi will be against the Egyptian teams Al Masry and Zamalek. Against Al Masry, Amakhosi will be aiming to get revenge at home as they lost in the first game in Egypt, while against Zamalek, they played a draw at home.
