Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze are facing red-hot pressure after failing to win their opening two CAF Confederation Cup Group C matches.
Instead of securing a draw away from home and a win on their own turf, Youssef and Kaze oversaw a defeat in Egypt and a draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
AL MASRY AND ZAMALEK IN THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
The opening result was a 2-1 loss to mid-table Egyptian outfit Al Masry at the Suez Stadium on Sunday, 23 November.
The pressure was firmly on Youssef and Kaze to collect all three points on matchday two when Zamalek visited South Africa. What followed was a poor performance, with a fortunate goalkeeping error allowing Kaizer Chiefs to snatch a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
The display, which featured amateur defensive mistakes and poorly coordinated attacking play, has led to growing calls for the dismissal of the Tunisian and Rwandan tacticians. Many critics have pointed to their lack of experience as head coaches at a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature.
Looking at the fixture schedule, the duo may only have two matches left to secure their positions as Amakhosi coaches, as clubs typically make major coaching decisions ahead of the Christmas break or, in this case, the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 21 December.
While the next CAF Confederation Cup fixture will be an away trip to Zambia to face Zesco United in January, December presents two crucial Betway Premiership matches.
REMAINING FIXTURES IN DECEMBER
Kaizer Chiefs face two away fixtures against dangerous opponents. The first is against a Chippa United side battling relegation. The Chilli Boys are rock bottom on the log after just one win from 14 matches.
The final outing before the AFCON break will be a trip to Mbombela to face sixth-placed TS Galaxy, who have recorded six wins from 13 games.
Full details:
Wednesday, 3 December
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium – 19:30
Sunday, 7 December
TS Galaxy vs Kaizer Chiefs
Mbombela Stadium – 15:30.