'I'll Leave the Club Happy' - Kaizer Chiefs Co-Coach Sets Modest Season Target Amid Exit Rumours

Kaizer Chiefs co-head coach Cedric Kaze struck a realistic tone ahead of the club’s crucial league clash, admitting he would be satisfied if Amakhosi can finish third in the Betway Premiership this season.

With the title race seemingly out of reach, Kaizer Chiefs are now focusing on securing a strong league position that could return them to continental competition next season.

Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. recently suggested that the club still harbours ambitions of qualifying for the CAF Champions League, despite trailing significantly behind rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race.

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Only the top two teams in the Premiership standings qualify for Africa’s elite club competition, making the target increasingly difficult as the season enters its decisive stages.

Kaze, however, offered a more measured perspective while speaking to journalists at Naturena ahead of Sunday’s league clash against Durban City.

“If we finish third this season, I’ll leave the club happy,” Kaze said as quoted by the Citizen.

A third-place finish would still be significant for Amakhosi, as it would secure qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup, a tournament the club participated in this season before exiting during the group stages.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of Kaizer Chiefs’ current technical leadership. It is widely expected that neither Kaze nor co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef will remain at the club beyond the end of the campaign.

The duo took over from Nasreddine Nabi in September, tasked with stabilising the team after a difficult start to the season.

Initially, their impact appeared promising. Kaizer Chiefs entered the New Year still within touching distance of the league’s top teams, raising hopes among supporters that the club could mount a serious title challenge.

However, Kaizer Chiefs’ campaign suffered a dramatic setback during a disappointing February. The club was knocked out of both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup in quick succession.

Their domestic form has also faltered, with Amakhosi currently enduring a three-game losing streak in the league. This slump has seen Kaizer Chiefs slip down the standings and lose valuable ground in the race for continental qualification.

The team ended a decade-long trophy drought last season by winning the Nedbank Cup, but they will not be able to defend that title this year after their early elimination.

During a presentation to the media, Kaze highlighted several performance metrics that suggest Chiefs have been competitive in many areas of play.

According to the data shared, Amakhosi rank highly in a number of statistical categories across the league. Yet the numbers have not translated into consistent results on the pitch. Kaizer Chiefs have struggled in front of goal and currently have the lowest scoring record among the teams in the top six.

The defensive record has also deteriorated in recent weeks. Chiefs have conceded as many goals in their last three Premiership matches as they did across their first 15 games of the season, highlighting a worrying decline in stability at the back.

Defensive issues could continue to trouble Kaizer Chiefs ahead of their upcoming match against Durban City. Young defender Aden McCarthy will miss the game due to suspension, further complicating selection decisions for the technical team.

However, there is some positive news with Zitha Kwinika returning to the squad after serving his suspension. Durban City currently sit fourth on the league table, having recently leapfrogged Chiefs. They hold a two-point advantage over Amakhosi, although Chiefs still have two games in hand, which could prove crucial in the battle for a top-three finish.

As the season approaches its decisive stages, Kaizer Chiefs now face a critical period where every point will matter.

While the title may no longer be within reach, securing third place would still represent meaningful progress and provide a pathway back to continental football.