Kaizer Chiefs lost their third Betway Premiership match in a row after going down 1-0 to Richards Bay on Tuesday evening.
This follows a string of painful defeats that includes being humiliated 3-0 by arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium in the Soweto derby.
It’s been dismal run and a nightmare few weeks for co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef and for Amakhosi supporters.
So, will Amakhosi management yield the axe?
NIGHTMARE RUN OF FORM UNDER KAZE AND YOUSSEF
It has been a tough stretch for Kaizer Chiefs’ co-coaching duo.
In a matter of weeks under Kaze and Youssef, the Glamour Boys have been knocked out of two tournaments and fallen well behind in the Betway Premiership.
Amakhosi were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup in the group stage and then were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Stellenbosch FC – the same side who beat them again a few weeks later in the league.
Thereafter, to make matters worse for Kaze and Youssef, their Kaizer Chiefs’ nightmare run continued in the worst way possible.
Not only did they lose the Soweto derby, they were humiliated in their 3-0 trouncing by the Buccaneers.
Then, they were defeated 1-0 by Richards Bay on Tuesday evening, further compounding the pressure on Chiefs’ co-coaches.
Amakhosi managers and fans alike will definetely not be happy with Kaze and Youssef.
Furthermore, former Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi recently posted this cryptic message.
Therefore, given recent dismissals at Kaizer Chiefs, one has to believe that Kaze and Youssef are likely to be let go. I think it’s a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’.
PIRATES AND SUNDOWNS EXTEND GAP OVER AMAKHOSI
Kaizer Chiefs currently sit sixth in the latest Betway Premiership standings with 30 points from 18 matches.
Amakhosi are 11 points behind leaders and Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates, as well as defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Amakhosi fans want trophies and, at the very least, for the fallen Soweto giants to rise again and compete for silverware.
They have fallen miles behind Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns over the past few seasons.
Orlando Pirates have won several cups in recent seasons, including three MTN8 titles (2022, 2023 and 2024) and two (Nedbank Cups 2023 and 2024).
Furthermore, they are firmly in the title race this year, currently occupying top spot well past the midway point of the competition.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed the last eight PSL titles. They recently competed in the FIFA Club World Cup and are always in the mix when it comes to Africa’s elite club competition – the CAF Champions League.
Something needs to change at Naturena – and fast. Amakhosi supporters are growing tired of the string of poor results.
Ultimately, with Amakhosi’s rich club history, financial strength, and strong grassroots structures – they need to start winning silverware.
At the very least, Kaizer Chiefs simply have to close the ever-growing gap on rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
