Cedric Kaze vs Khalil Ben Youseff Reunion Delayed After Work Permit Setback
The highly anticipated reunion between former Kaizer Chiefs coaching colleagues Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youseff has been delayed after an unexpected administrative setback prevented Kaze from taking his place on the touchline.
The two coaches were set to renew their professional rivalry on the opening weekend of the new Betway Premiership season, with Kaze leading Sekhukhune United and Ben Youseff taking charge of Durban City.
Their meeting carried added intrigue after the pair previously worked together at Kaizer Chiefs, helping guide Amakhosi to a third place finish in the league last season. Their reunion was expected to provide one of the early talking points of the campaign as they prepared to face each other from opposite dugouts.
However, the much anticipated showdown between the two former Chiefs tacticians will have to wait.
Kaze, who joined Sekhukhune United after leaving Chiefs at the end of last season, was unable to take charge of his side after failing to secure his work permit in time for the fixture.
The development was confirmed by Sekhukhune assistant coach Paulos Masehe during an interview with SuperSport TV ahead of kick off at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.
The absence of Kaze took some of the spotlight away from what had been billed as a reunion between two coaches who shared the Chiefs technical area only months ago.
Despite the attention surrounding the fixture, Durban City coach Ben Youseff played down the personal storyline and insisted that the focus should remain on the players who would ultimately decide the outcome.
“As coaches, we do about 70% of the work and the rest is on the players. It is about them applying what we have worked on during pre season,” Ben Youseff said.
“Kaze and I have worked together for a long time, but this game is not about us. It is about the players.”
The two coaches developed a strong working relationship during their time at Chiefs, where they were part of the technical team that helped the club secure a respectable league finish after a challenging period.
While fans will have to wait longer to see Kaze and Ben Youseff compete against each other, the delayed reunion has added another layer of anticipation to what promises to be an exciting Betway Premiership season.
For now, the spotlight shifts back to the players, who will carry the responsibility of delivering results while their coaches continue their journeys on opposite sides of South African football.
