Kaze Confident Chiefs Can Still Salvage Season
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has insisted Amakhosi can still rescue their season despite Nedbank Cup disappointment, backing the team to challenge strongly in the Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup.
Amakhosi were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday night after suffering a round of 32 defeat against Stellenbosch, a result that compounded recent frustrations under the joint guidance of Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
The loss marked the second time this season that Chiefs have been eliminated by Stellenbosch, having also exited the Carling Knockout at the round of 16 stage in October last year.
Despite the growing pressure that comes with overseeing a club of Chiefs’ stature, Kaze made it clear that expectations at Naturena are unrelenting and that the responsibility to deliver success is felt daily.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a team that does not wait for you to get eliminated and get pressure,” Kaze said.
“But it’s a pressure that is there every day, it comes with the badge and the kind of club you’re in.
“We have to do everything to make it happen in the league and in the CAF Confederation Cup. We’re confident about winning both these two titles, and we have to use all the tools.
“As I said, this defeat is a lesson for everyone in the club that nothing comes easy and we need to play and stay focused all the time.”
Chiefs’ exit from the Nedbank Cup means they have now failed to defend the title they won in 2025, while their earlier Carling Knockout elimination ruled out another chance at silverware.
However, the Soweto giants remain firmly in contention in two major competitions, which Kaze believes could yet define the future of the technical team at the club.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Amakhosi currently sit third in their group with seven points, while in the Betway Premiership, they are also in third position with 30 points from 15 matches, keeping them within touching distance of the leading pack.
Kaze also provided a positive update on the injury front, revealing that several key players are close to returning as Chiefs prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.
“I’m happy that in the next week we will have players coming back from injuries,” the former Barcelona academy mentor added.
“George (Matlou) has been practicing for the week, while [Thabo] Cele practiced in the last two days.
“About (Etiosa) Ighodaro, he has not been training while (Bradley) Cross and OX (Sibongiseni Mthethwa) are supposed to come back if they pass the test that they will have, and they would probably join us on Monday after the Al Masry game.”
With domestic cup ambitions now over, Chiefs will shift their full focus to continental football as they host Al Masry on Sunday at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in the CAF Confederation Cup.
After that encounter, Amakhosi will travel to Egypt to face another formidable opponent in Pyramids, as Kaze and his charges look to turn belief into tangible success.
