Ben Youssef Tones Down Title Expectations as Chiefs Aim for Steady Rebuild
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has moved to cool growing excitement around Amakhosi’s league campaign, insisting that talk of a Premiership title push is premature given where the club is coming from.
The Tunisian mentor reflected on Chiefs’ progress following their 0–0 draw with bottom-placed Chippa United in Gqeberha on Wednesday night. A victory would have taken Amakhosi to 25 points — just three behind leaders Orlando Pirates — but the stalemate leaves them five points off the summit after 12 matches.
Ben Youssef maintains that, while Chiefs are performing far better than last season’s ninth-place finish, a top-four spot remains the more realistic target.
“We didn’t promise a trophy,” he reminded. “Yes, we are a big club and we always play to win, but we have to be logical. You don’t return to CAF competitions after years away and immediately expect to win the league.
“Last season we were ninth — the priority now is rebuilding, step by step, and aiming for the top four.”
Missed Opportunity in Gqeberha
Chiefs entered the clash with a chance to tighten the title race, but their lack of composure in the final third proved costly. Ben Youssef admitted that facing a desperate Chippa side battling relegation made the task more difficult.
He also rued the lost chance to close in on Pirates before the upcoming AFCON break.
“Before these two games we spoke about keeping our high position,” he said. “We were unlucky not to score. Now the TS Galaxy match becomes very important.”
A New Era After Heavy Investment
Chiefs’ renewed ambition follows a busy off-season in which the club bolstered their squad after ending a 10-year trophy drought by lifting the Nedbank Cup under former coach Nasreddine Nabi.
High-profile arrivals — including Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga, Flavio Silva, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Asanele Velebayi, Etiosa Ighodaro, Luke Baartman, Lebohang Maboe, and Khanyisa Mayo — signalled a major reset, while several players were offloaded or loaned out to streamline the squad.
However, Nabi’s dismissal just six league games into the season forced another adjustment, with Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze taking over as interim co-coaches.
Mixed Cup Fortunes, But League Showing Encouraging
Amakhosi were knocked out of the Carling Knockout in the first round by Stellenbosch but have progressed to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, where they face Zamalek, Al Masry, and Zesco United.
In the league, however, they’ve been far more competitive — a point Ben Youssef says should inspire belief, not pressure.
“People see our performances and immediately start talking about trophies,” he said. “But it’s a process. Most of the players we’re using are from last season. We must work, improve, and build.
“If an opportunity to win a trophy comes, we will fight for it. But we cannot skip steps.”
A win against TS Galaxy on Sunday would still see Amakhosi end the year just two points behind Pirates, but expectations inside the Chiefs camp remain measured.