Kaizer Chiefs Break Silence on Next Coach Appointment Amid Rulani Mokwena Links

Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager Bobby Motaung has confirmed the club will not appoint a new permanent head coach until the conclusion of the current Betway Premiership season, with a decision expected in May.

Motaung dismissed speculation that the Soweto giants would make a mid-season appointment to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Tunisian coach Nasredine Nabi. In the interim, Nabi's former assistants, Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, have taken the reins as co-coaches.

Under their guidance, the team has climbed to fourth place in the PSL standings. Despite calls from some supporters for a permanent appointment, Motaung emphasised the importance of stability for the remainder of the campaign.

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"We do not want to disrupt the team by bringing in a new coach who would arrive wanting to do things differently from what we are currently doing," Motaung explained in an interview with South African newspaper Isolezwe.

He stressed that a new manager would likely want to implement their own philosophy and bring in their own backroom staff, which could upset the team's current momentum.

"These two gentlemen [Youssef and Kaze] have been with the team from the beginning, and we are building on that foundation," Motaung added. "We want progress, and I believe it is clear that the team is improving."

As Rhulani Mokwena guides Algerian side MC Alger in a quest for three major trophies, the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach has been backed as a prime candidate to take the helm at Kaizer Chiefs.

The 38-year-old tactician has enjoyed a successful spell in North Africa since leaving the PSL two seasons ago. After a stint with Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco, he joined MC Alger at the start of the current campaign, where he is now chasing glory in the Algerian Ligue 1, the Algerian Cup, and the CAF Champions League.

Kaizer Chiefs have endured a period of instability, with struggles on the pitch leading to frequent changes in the technical team.

Rulani Mokwena boasts an impressive resume in South African football, having coached Chiefs' archrivals Orlando Pirates before a highly successful return to Mamelodi Sundowns. At Sundowns, he secured two Premier Soccer League titles and the inaugural African Football League (AFL) trophy.

According to former Wydad Casablanca Technical Director Allan Freese, Mokwena's deep understanding of the local football landscape makes him an ideal fit for the Glamour Boys.

"Yes, he is a South African, and he knows the culture of Chiefs; he knows what Chiefs is all about," Freese told Soccer Laduma. "So he can handle Chiefs. I don't have a doubt."

"He has coached Mamelodi Sundowns, though it could not be the same as Chiefs in terms of support and other things, but he has what it takes to coach Chiefs," Freese added.

Despite endorsing his capabilities, Freese questioned why Mokwena would consider leaving his successful project at MC Alger, where he is competing on three fronts.

"I don't know. Why would you leave the work you are enjoying to come to Chiefs?" the experienced administrator pondered. "Why would you want to come to Chiefs now at the moment? Why must he leave, then come back now, while he is doing well? Maybe the timing is not right."

However, Kaizer Chiefs have emphasised the club's commitment to stability, suggesting that a mid-season coaching change is not on the agenda. The club is backing the current interim duo of Kaze and Ben Youssef to avoid disrupting the squad.