Chiefs target CAF Champions League return, says Kaizer Jr
Kaizer Chiefs will have to either win the league or finish second in order to return to the CAF Champions League, but is this realistic?
Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has revealed what the management expects from co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
The pair were handed the responsibility to lead Amakhosi following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi earlier this season.
And while Chiefs had a solid start, things appear to be falling apart with a section of fans calling for the sacking of the two coaches.
However, it looks like the Chiefs hierarchy isn’t going to budge as Kaizer Jr said the pair are aware of the mandates given to them.
According to Kaizer Jr, one of the mandates this season is to finish in the top two and return to CAF Champions League football next year.
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KAIZER CHIEFS WANT TO RETURN TO CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – KAIZER JR
“The stance is that the coaches understand the responsibility that faces them, they understand the results must come and they must come quick,” Kaizer Jr told Kaizer Chiefs Radio.
“As a club, we’re constantly evaluating ourselves, our processes and there’s a ton of work that has been done behind the scenes, which is one thing people must know.
“It’s not just about coaches, it’s not just about players, it’s about our whole footballing structure.
“You can’t look at certain things in insolation, the club is making sure we put ourselves in the best position to finish as strong as we can this season,” he continued.
“We know we want to be in the CAF Champions League next year; we have certain targets we set for ourselves, evaluating where we are now, what needs to be done to get there and trust me, there’s a lot of work being done right now as we speak,” added Kaizer Jr.
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IS THIS A REALISTIC TARGET?
As things stand, this seems unrealistic given Amakhosi’s poor run of form and their inability to consistently win matches.
The Glamour Boys are currently sitting sixth on the log with just 30 points from 18 games, and both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have opened an 11-point gap between them.
Chiefs would have to win at least five consecutive games and hope both Pirates and Sundowns drop points in the process to stand a chance of finishing in the top two.