Benedict Vilakazi backs Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze to keep Kaizer Chiefs jobs

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has expressed confidence that Kaizer Chiefs will retain interim coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze following a strong finish to the domestic campaign, even as questions linger over their long-term suitability.

The pair stepped into the spotlight in September after the departure of Nasreddine Nabi, inheriting a side struggling for consistency and direction. Since then, they have overseen a notable turnaround, guiding Amakhosi to a top-three finish in the Betway Premiership.

The achievement marks a significant improvement for a club that had failed to break into the top eight in each of the previous two seasons.

Their resurgence has also secured qualification for continental competition, with Chiefs booking a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.

For Vilakazi, that milestone alone strengthens the case for continuity in the dugout, particularly given the team’s upward trajectory under their stewardship.

“They will keep them, I’m telling you. I said it before when coach Nabi went home to see his wife. I said these two coaches, if they continue winning, they [management] will rather say ‘let’s sit with them than have Nabi back’. I saw it coming,” he said.

“If we say we need a coach, these guys took us from number nine and put us third position.”

Despite acknowledging their progress, Vilakazi stopped short of fully endorsing the duo as the long-term solution.

He pointed to lingering doubts over whether Ben Youssef and Kaze possess the pedigree required to restore Chiefs to their former dominance and mount a sustained title challenge against rivals such as Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs’ campaign, while encouraging, ended without silverware, a reality that continues to frustrate sections of the fan base.

However, there were positives in marquee fixtures, including taking points off Sundowns and holding both Orlando Pirates, results that underlined their competitive edge in high-stakes encounters.

Momentum appears to be on their side heading into the off-season, with internal and external voices increasingly calling for stability.

Former Chiefs head coach Muhsin Erugral recently urged the club’s hierarchy to resist the temptation of another overhaul, stressing the importance of building on the current foundation.