Ben Youssef: Inexperience Cost Us — Now We Must Beat Zamalek
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has pinned Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup defeat to Al Masry on “inexperience and costly errors”, insisting Amakhosi must respond sharply when Egyptian giants Zamalek visit Polokwane this weekend.
Chiefs suffered a painful 2–1 loss in Suez after gifting the home side two decisive moments: captain Brandon Petersen conceded a penalty shortly before the hour mark, and defender Inacio Miguel’s late mis-kick from a corner handed Al Masry an 87th-minute winner.
While Dillan Solomons produced a brilliant solo equaliser in the 66th minute, Chiefs left Egypt empty-handed in their first group-stage appearance in the competition’s modern era.
“More than 80% are new to Africa” — Ben Youssef
Ben Youssef did not shy away from the role that inexperience played in the defeat.
“More than 80% of our players were playing this type of competition for the first time… it’s different from the PSL,”
said the Tunisian mentor.
“You need to be more focused, more aggressive, and you cannot make the type of mistakes we made.”
He praised the team’s overall performance but stressed that at continental level, minor lapses become fatal.
“It’s a high-level competition where small details are crucial. We have to learn fast. If we want to qualify, we must win all our home games — starting with Zamalek.”
Zamalek, two-time Confederation Cup champions, arrive at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (3pm), posing another stern test for a youthful Chiefs squad still finding their feet in Africa.
Al Masry coach: ‘We studied Chiefs and exploited their weaknesses’
While Ben Youssef cited inexperience, Al Masry coach Nabil Kouki revealed that their victory was the product of detailed tactical preparation.
“We studied Kaizer Chiefs well and succeeded in exploiting their weaknesses,”
Kouki told Egyptian outlet Yallakora.
“I divided the match into phases and adjusted our positioning in the second half. That pressure led to the goals.”
Al Masry forced Petersen into several key saves before the penalty incident, and Kouki believes the structure of their second-half press was decisive.
“We aimed for the win, and the players carried out the plan. Now we prepare immediately for ZESCO. Recovery will be our weapon.”
Blunders proven costly
The clash will be remembered for two decisive Amakhosi errors:
59th minute – Petersen rushed out to intercept a lofted ball but mistimed his challenge, bringing down Mahmoud Hamada and conceding the penalty converted by Bonheur Mugisha.
87th minute – Miguel had a simple clearance from a corner but completely missed the ball, gifting Mohamed Hashem a tap-in that sealed Chiefs’ defeat.
These mistakes overshadowed Solomons’ superb solo goal — a weaving run and left-footed finish that was his first in over three years.
Turning to Zamalek
With Al Masry now top of Group D and Zamalek already off the mark after beating ZESCO United, Chiefs face a must-win scenario at home.
Ben Youssef knows the stakes:
“Zamalek are one of the best in Africa. But if we want to go through, we cannot make mistakes in Polokwane. We must win our home games.”