Chiefs Axe Co-Coaches Despite Historic Points Haul

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the departure of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef following the expiration of their contracts at Naturena.

The decision comes immediately after the conclusion of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, where the technical duo guided Amakhosi to a third-place finish.

Despite a final-day 1-0 defeat to Chippa United, Kaze had publicly expressed confidence that their domestic turnaround was enough to secure their tenure for the upcoming season.

Why Did Kaizer Chiefs Sack Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef?

The coaching pair initially arrived at Naturena to serve as assistants to Nasreddine Nabi at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. However, they were thrust into the spotlight as co-coaches in October 2025 when Nabi abruptly parted ways with the Glamour Boys.

The sweeping clean slate confirms that Kaizer Chiefs are preparing to appoint a brand-new head coach who will bring in an entirely fresh technical crew.

“With the season concluded, Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the departure of coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze following the end of their two-year contracts with the Club,” the Soweto giants announced via an official statement on Tuesday.

A Deceptively Strong Record at Naturena

While silverware eluded them in their final season, the numbers behind Kaze and Ben Youssef’s tenure show clear signs of structural progress. After stepping up to fill the void left by Nabi, they re-engineered the Glamour Boys’ tactical identity.

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|   KA I Z E R  C H I E F S  2025/26  R E C O R D        |
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| Matches: 39  | Won: 19  | Drawn: 11  | Lost: 9         |
| League Points: 54 (Finished 3rd in Betway Premiership) |
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The 54 points hauled in by the co-coaches marks Kaizer Chiefs’ second-best league points tally in the past eleven years, beaten only by the 69 points secured during Stuart Baxter’s legendary 2014/15 title-winning campaign.

Their continental venture was equally competitive but ended in heartbreak. Amakhosi narrowly missed out on qualification for the knockout phase of the CAF Confederation Cup on goal difference, finishing their grueling Group D campaign tied with ten points.

What Comes Next for the Glamour Boys?

Despite stabilizing a club that had suffered seasons of inconsistent performances, the hierarchy demands trophies. The management extended its appreciation to the outbound tacticians as they prepare for a massive winter window shakeup.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the coaches for their dedication and contribution, and wish them all the best in their future,” the club statement concluded. “More announcements will follow during the course of the next few weeks as we build up to the start of the new season.”