Ben Youssef Khalil has commented on the factors hindering progress at Kaizer Chiefs, emphasizing the need for the club to invest in quality players if they aim to win domestic trophies. The former coach of the team expressed concerns following his departure after his contract expired at the end of the season, alongside fellow coach Cedric Kaze, having led the team to a notable third place finish.
Speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified, Khalil stated, “The problem with Kaizer Chiefs is between being realistic and ambitious.” He explained that while there is strong ambition within the club to secure titles, there needs to be a recognition of the limitations of the current squad. “The squad that Kaizer Chiefs had during this season and last season, the maximum they can reach is the top four,” he added.
Khalil highlighted the disparity in quality between Kaizer Chiefs and rival teams, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. He noted that when Sundowns faced challenges, they addressed their needs by acquiring talent, as exemplified by their recent acquisition of striker Brayan León, who made an immediate impact by scoring two goals against Pirates.
Furthermore, Khalil pointed out that the national team, Bafana Bafana, consists predominantly of players from Pirates and Sundowns, with only one player, Bradley Cross from Chiefs, sitting on the bench. He addressed the Chiefs management, stating that true competitiveness for trophies will only be achievable when the team has an ample number of players actively participating at the national level.