Ben Youssef Urges Focus As Chiefs Face Season-Defining Fixture
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef says it will be important to take one game at a time, as the saying goes, with the next three matches likely to define the club’s season.
Chiefs face Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 at DHL Stadium on Wednesday, before turning their attention to two crucial CAF Confederation Cup fixtures against Al Masry and Zamalek.
Amakhosi recently completed a double over ZESCO United in back-to-back matches, drawing level with third-placed Al Masry on seven points in Group D after four games, just one point behind leaders Zamalek.
To reach the knockout stages of Africa’s second-tier competition, Chiefs will need to win their remaining two group matches, home and away.
The same level of importance applies to the Nedbank Cup clash against Stellenbosch in the Ke Yona Cup in Cape Town on Wednesday, with Chiefs the defending champions of South Africa’s version of the FA Cup.
“To be honest with you, we are more focused on the Stellenbosch game now,” said Ben Youssef.
“We have the Nedbank Cup, and it is a crucial game for us. It is one of our targets to retain the trophy. Once we finish this game, then we can have another discussion about the other two matches.”
Ben Youssef also commented on the form of Lebohang Maboe, who appears revitalised in the second half of the season, describing him as a smart player.
Maboe, who joined Chiefs during the off-season after being released by Mamelodi Sundowns, is benefiting from playing alongside a familiar face in Siphesihle Ndlovu, who also arrived at the club during the off-season.
The pair were key figures in the Maritzburg United side that finished fourth in the 2017/18 season, the club’s highest-ever PSL finish. They also helped United, now known as Durban City, reach the Nedbank Cup final under Fadlu Davids, although they lost to the now-defunct Free State Stars.
“Maboe, Ndlovu, Mshini [Nkosi Ngcobo], Thulani [Mabaso], [Lehlogonolo] Matlou, Thabo Cele – all the players are fighting for the same positions,” he added.
“I think Maboe is one of the most important players for us. He is smart and professional. I’m very close to him because we discuss a lot of things together.
“In midfield, we have more than two options for each game. All of them bring quality, both tactically and technically. We are just managing who to play in each and every match.”
