Sports
Kaizer Chiefs Aim for Continental Football with Nedbank Cup Victory

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has made it clear that the team is determined to play regular continental football, and that is why they are eager to win the Nedbank Cup this season. Despite a tough start to their campaign, Chiefs are hoping to secure a spot in continental competitions by either finishing in the league’s top three or lifting the coveted Nedbank Cup.
The Amakhosi have faced several challenges this season. They were eliminated from the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, and their inconsistent form in the Premiership has seen them fall behind the league leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, by 12 points. The title race now looks set to be contested between Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, leaving Chiefs with the difficult task of fighting for third place to secure a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, a secondary competition to the prestigious Champions League.
“We are looking forward to a competitive match this Sunday! We’ve put in the prep and know our opponents are ready too. Glory in this cup could lead us to participation in the continental competition, so we will give it our all,”- Coach Khalil Ben Youssef#NedbankCup #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/GPzxuRf6Ya
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) January 23, 2025
Given their struggles in the league, Chiefs are now placing a significant focus on the Nedbank Cup. The champions of the tournament are guaranteed a spot in the Confederation Cup, giving the team a clear incentive to perform well in the competition. Ben Youssef emphasized the importance of this tournament in the team’s aspirations to return to continental football.
“If you want to play in Africa, you have two choices: one, you must finish in the top three or win this cup,” said Ben Youssef. “As a big team, we know that we should win every competition we play in, including the league. Hence, we will do our best to win the Nedbank Cup.”
Despite the pressure of securing immediate success, Chiefs are also focused on long-term development under their new technical team, led by Nasreddine Nabi. The team’s mandate, as discussed with the club’s board, is to build a strong foundation over the next two to three years to eventually compete for the league title. However, Ben Youssef acknowledged that the squad needs reinforcement to close the gap with dominant teams like Sundowns.
“We need to bolster the squad if we are going to compete for the league crown,” Ben Youssef said. “We have been porous defensively and blunt upfront. It is crucial to improve in these areas to compete against teams like Sundowns.”
Chiefs have been dealing with injuries, particularly fractures, which have hindered their ability to find consistency. The team’s reliance on younger players for goals has also been a challenge, as the pressure to perform can sometimes be overwhelming. However, there have been positive moments, like their 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United in their last match, with Mfundo Vilakazi scoring the late winner.
Ben Youssef reflected on the team’s adjustment to the South African league, admitting that it took time to understand its unique challenges. He also pointed out that some players struggle with tactical instructions and need more individualized coaching sessions to improve their understanding of modern football.
“Some players are very smart and understand our tactics quickly, while others need more repetitions and individual meetings,” he said. “We are working on improving their understanding of the game.”
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