Reports: Kaizer Chiefs Speaking to Rulani Mokwena Over Coaching Job - ‘There is a Strong Connection’

Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly eyeing Rulani Mokwena as their next coach ahead of next season, according to reports in South Africa.

Chiefs are on the lookout for a new coach given current co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze were put in charge until the end of the season following the departure of their boss Nasreddine Nabi in September.

Ben Youssef and Kaze were Nabi’s assistants but when the Tunisian coach left, the club opted to promote them rather than bringing in a new man in the dugout.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

However, with four wins from their 14 matches in charge, the consensus among fans and observers is that they have not done well enough and need to pave way for someone else, with the Chiefs’ supporters as well as ex-players calling for an experienced and successful coach who also understands South African football.

That has seen veteran Pitso Mosimane linked to the job but according to SoccerBeat’s Peter du Toit, Chiefs have their eyes on Mokwena, who is currently the coach of Algerian champions MC Alger.

“I know Chiefs and I strongly believe that they are speaking to Rulani,” Du Toit revealed. “There is a strong connection there and he would do that role.”

“But obviously slightly hampered because he is at another club right now and no one will openly say that he is coming to Chiefs or that he is telling them whom to buy,” he added while discussing Chiefs’ plans for 2026.

It is believed the coming of a new coach is behind Chiefs’ decision to go quiet in the January transfer window as they do not want to spend on players the incoming tactician would cast aside and are therefore waiting to finalise an agreement with whoever they settle on so that he can provide his wish list.

The Soweto giants have starved their fans of success with no league title since 2015 and won the Nedbank Cup last season to quench the supporter’s thirst somewhat although their league form is still poor.

Chiefs have failed to finish in the top eight in back-to-back seasons but they have seen some improvements this term, finishing 2025 in fourth position, although inconsistencies are still slowing them down.

Mokwena enjoyed success at Mamelodi Sundowns during a four-year spell from 2020-2024, a time when his team played exciting football, before he had a short-lived stint in Morocco with Wydad Athletic Club after which he joined MC Alger ahead of this season.

However, it remains to be seen if his strong connections to Chiefs’ bitter rivals Orlando Pirates will be an issue as he is the son of former Buccaneers player Julias Sono Hloae and nephew to Pirates legend Jomo Sono, while he has also previously coached the Sea Robbers.