Cardoso backs Kaze to lead Sekhukhune United back into Africa

Sekhukhune United captain Daniel Cardoso believes new coach Cedric Kaze can reproduce the success he enjoyed at Kaizer Chiefs and guide Babina Noko back into continental competition.

Kaze joined Chiefs in South Africa two seasons ago as one of Nasreddine Nabi’s assistants. During that campaign, Amakhosi ended a 10-year wait for a trophy by winning the Nedbank Cup, a result that also secured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Burundi national then shared coaching responsibilities with Khalil Ben Youssef in his second season at Naturena. Together, they led the Glamour Boys to third place in the Betway Premiership, Chiefs’ best league finish since 2020, and helped the club qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup for a second consecutive season.

Kaze has now moved to Sekhukhune United, who began their latest campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Durban City. The new coach watched the match from the stands, however, as he waits for his work permit to be finalised.

Cardoso said Kaze’s recent achievements had convinced the Sekhukhune squad that he could help them secure a return to African football.

“He seems like a great coach,” Cardoso told iDiski Times.

“He brought Chiefs where they are; they haven’t finished in the top three in quite a few seasons. And that’s when I was back at Chiefs when we came second and lost it on the last day, so props to him.

“I think he’s been with us, and we just got to buy into his philosophy. I think we have had more than enough time to work with him, and all the prep we’ve been doing will show, and we can start on a good note.

“We are there to give him our full support because he has given his full coaching ability that he can, and I think we can learn a lot from him. So, Chiefs finished third; he’s come to us from Chiefs, and I think that we definitely want to go back into Africa. I think a lot of the boys need to experience that African football.

“It’s a lot different to what South African football is. You know you are playing against boys that are tough, especially the North Africans. I think it’s something that we all need to pull our weight towards and finish in the top three.”

Cardoso’s comments were published in edition 267 of iDiski Times, following an interview with journalist Lethabo Kganyago. The defender said the squad must embrace Kaze’s methods and provide him with full backing as they target a top-three league finish.

Sekhukhune United’s ambition is to return to continental competition, with Cardoso highlighting the value of experiencing the demands of African football. He particularly pointed to the physical challenge posed by North African opponents.

Kaze’s previous work at Kaizer Chiefs has given him a recent understanding of what is required to secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup. His immediate task at Sekhukhune United will be to build on the positive opening-day result while waiting to take up his official matchday responsibilities.

Cardoso’s full interview with Kganyago is available in edition 267 of iDiski Times. The digital newspaper is free and can be accessed by subscribing to the publication’s media WhatsApp number or downloading it through the publication’s website.

This article was brought to you by Rexona.