Kaizer Chiefs are currently facing significant pressure as their 2025/26 season unfolds, marked by dropped points in the Betway Premiership and a challenging start in the CAF Confederation Cup. Former Amakhosi legend Tsepo Masilela highlighted the urgency for the two current coaches, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, to deliver results, especially after a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Angolan side Kabuscorp. Masilela expressed concern over the team's lack of impact players from the bench, emphasizing the need for attacking, creating, and scoring goals to avoid elimination from the Confederation Cup. He also urged the team to revisit the strategies that led to their strong start, where they maintained a clean sheet in their initial matches.

Adding to the concern, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Fees Moloi has cast doubt on Kaizer Chiefs' chances of making a comeback against Kabuscorp in the second leg. Moloi believes it's unlikely for Chiefs to equalize, citing their struggles in home matches as an indicator of even greater challenges in continental tournaments. He suggested that players who were favorites of the 'suspended' coach Nasreddine Nabi might be demotivated, affecting recent performances. Moloi also controversially opined that Nabi should have allowed his assistant, Ben Youssef, more time in charge to alleviate pressure upon his return, implying Chiefs would merely honour the fixture rather than genuinely progress.

Despite the recent poor form, assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who has taken a caretaker role in Nabi's absence, boasts a commendable record of securing 10 points out of a possible 12 in his four league matches in charge. Ben Youssef addressed fan queries regarding the delayed debuts of new signings Ethan Chislett and Nkanyiso Shinga, both of whom participated in the pre-season but are yet to feature in competitive matches. He assured that both players are training well and will be introduced into the team at the