Ben Youssef Praises Ndlovu And Maboe Midfield Partnership

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has praised the midfield partnership of Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe, revealing that some individuals were unhappy to have been left out following his selection.

Since the resumption of the second half of the season, Ndlovu and Maboe have regularly been paired in midfield, including during the hard-fought CAF Confederation Cup group-stage victory over Al Masry on Sunday.

Their partnership has not only strengthened Chiefs’ chances of progressing to the knockout rounds but has also underlined their growing importance in the centre of the park.

Ben Youssef used the moment to explain his approach to squad management and why the duo have become central to his plans.

“I think many people get angry when we make a rotation, and when we keep the same squad, they’re angry also and asking why we don’t change,” Ben Youssef said.

“Coming from a long break for one month without playing, then here comes a crazy fixture where we have to play every three games. All the games we played were away games; we had to travel and manage the players.

“I think Maboe and Ndlovu give us a lot of stability. In the last few games, we changed Ndlovu and Maboe, and you know the midfield is always a busy position, so we had to manage them.

“Before the break, I think it was Maboe and George Matlou, and they both gave us a lot of stability. To be honest, we have a great squad, and we have good players in the midfield.

“Playing with Ndlovu and Maboe gives us a lot of quality and strength inside. Each game we’re managing depends on the physical situation of the player and also how the opponent plays.”

Maboe and Ndlovu joined Amakhosi this season on free transfers after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, respectively.

Their chemistry, however, is not new. Maboe and Ndlovu also played together at SuperSport United last season when Maboe was loaned from Sundowns.

Chiefs are the third club where the pair have featured together, having first built their reputations at Maritzburg United (Durban City) before earning moves to Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Their reunion at Naturena has brought balance and work ethic, even though neither player has scored or assisted this season.

Remarkably, Chiefs are yet to lose or even draw a match this year when Ndlovu and Maboe start together in midfield, highlighting their influence beyond traditional statistics.

In contrast, during the Nedbank Cup defeat to Stellenbosch, Maboe began on the bench while Ndlovu started, and they did not share the field in the second half after Ndlovu was substituted – a decision Ben Youssef linked to player management during a congested schedule.

The experienced duo now turn their focus to another major test as Chiefs prepare to face Zamalek in Egypt on Sunday, hoping to seal a quarterfinal place in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Both players bring continental pedigree, having competed in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup with Sundowns, Pirates, and SuperSport United, experience that could prove vital in the decisive stages.