Chiefs Squad Only Capable Of Top Four Finish – Ben Youssef

Former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes the club’s current squad is only capable of securing a top-four finish in the Betway Premiership.

Ben Youssef, who recently parted ways with Amakhosi alongside fellow co-coach Cedric Kaze, said expectations at the club were unrealistic because the squad lacked the quality needed to consistently challenge for trophies.

The duo has since been replaced, with Chiefs appointing Fernando Da Cruz as their new head coach ahead of the upcoming season.

During their tenure, the Soweto giants finished third in the league on 54 points, surpassing the 50-point mark for the first time in several seasons. Their strong campaign also secured qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Despite the progress, Ben Youssef feels expectations surrounding the team remained unrealistic. He believes many expected Chiefs to compete for every trophy despite not possessing the squad depth and quality required to challenge on all fronts.

“There are some people who have a problem distinguishing between realism and ambition,” said Ben Youssef.

“Yes, we had the ambition to win everything. We need to have the ambition to win every trophy. But you also have to be realistic. The squad that Kaizer Chiefs had this season and last season, the maximum they can achieve is a top-four finish. Being in the top four is the maximum they can reach.”

Ben Youssef further claimed that Chiefs lack the quality required to compete with their biggest rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

“If you compare the quality of Chiefs with Sundowns and Pirates, the difference is huge. There is a massive gap. You can improve players, but individual quality is something you either have or you don’t have.

“I mean, when Sundowns have a problem and need a striker, they immediately spend money and bring in a striker like Brayan Leon. He arrived and, three days later, scored two goals against Orlando Pirates.”

Ben Youssef, who has been linked with a move to Durban City, added: “The best players in the PSL are at Orlando Pirates. You can see it in the Bafana Bafana squad – 30% or 40% of the players come from Sundowns or Pirates, while the remaining 20% are spread across the other clubs.

“We also have one player in the national team who is sitting on the bench. Even at club level, he doesn’t play regularly.”