According to Soccer Beat reporter, Kurt Buckerfield, Kaizer Chiefs will not be excercising the options to extend the contracts of the duo.
Ben Youssef and Kaze took over the reigns in October 2025 after the dramatic and rather bizarre departure of former coach Nasreddine Nabi. The duo had served as Nabi’s assistants.
WHAT DID KHALIL BEN YOUSSEF AND CEDRIC KAZE DELIVER?
To their credit, the Tunisian and Burundian steadied that was sinking. Kaizer Chiefs will finish the 2025/26 campaign in third place, and hit 50-point mark for the first time in six years, accumulating 54 points thus far.
They also secured a return to the MTN8 after back-to-back absences, which will be seen as meaningful progress by the Kaizer Chiefs faithful.
THIRD PLACE ACHIEVEMENT, BUT…
One of their biggest achievements was tightening up a side that had long struggled defensively. Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen thrived under their guidance, keeping 15 clean sheets in the Betway Premiership and giving Kaizer Chiefs the defensive stability that had been missing for several seasons.
However, that defensive improvement in the league did not translate into cup competitions. The team suffered early exits in both the Carling Knockout and the Nedbank Cup, while their continental campaign also ended in disappointment after they failed to progress beyond the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Although they regularly picked up results in the league, the overall displays and lack of an exciting playing style left many Kaizer Chiefs supporters underwhelmed and well short of the standards expected by the club’s fanbase.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI TO KAIZER CHIEFS?
Meanwhile, the club has been heavily linked with Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi. His CV includes five league titles and a CAF Champions League winner’s medal earned during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns as assistant and later co-coach.
Mngqithi has also emerged as one of South African football’s standout coaches this season with his work at Golden Arrows.
The Umzimkhulu-born tactician has turned Arrows into one of the Betway Premiership’s most exciting attacking teams. They have scored 34 goals in 29 league matches, making them the division’s third-highest scorers behind Orlando Pirates and Sundowns.
His influence actually began last season after arriving on 3 March with Arrows battling relegation. He steered Abafana Bes’thende to safety and a 12th-place finish, beginning his spell with a draw against Sundowns before following it up with an impressive victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
This season, with eight matches still remaining, Arrows occupy eighth place. It is an indication of Mngqithi’s ability to combine attacking football with results despite working with a relatively modest squad.
Cup competitions have also highlighted his progress with the side. Arrows reached the latter stages of both domestic tournaments. They suffered penalty shootout exits to Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout semi-finals. And Durban City in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
Recruitment is another area that strengthens his case. Several of Arrows’ key performers arrived under his watch, including leading scorer Junior Dion and highly-rated Ivorian midfielder Isaac Cissé.
He also added the standout talents of Ayabulela Maxwele and captain Ayanda Jiyane following the expulsion of Royal AM.
Mngqithi’s player development record has been equally impressive. Siyanda Ndlovu has elevated his game significantly under his guidance.
With experience across domestic and African football, Mngqithi brings a strong all-round profile. He has also shown a sharp eye in recruitment and player development. He nurtured talents such as Malibongwe Khoza and Kutlwano Letlaku progress at Sundons. Those qualities could make him a strong fit for what Kaizer Chiefs management are looking for in their next head coach.
