Chiefs co-coaches' to-do list

Now that Kaizer Chiefs have provided clarity to their supporters and the football fraternity on the departure of coach Nasreddine Nabi, we know that Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze can focus on the task at hand for the rest of the season.

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The duo have many key areas to focus on, to get Chiefs back to winning ways in the league (after four straight draws) and in continental action, where they reached the Group Stages after beating AS Simba 3-1. With just the Nedbank Cup left to compete for in domestic cup competitions, the PSL and CAF Confederation Cup can take full focus over the next few months. In this feature, we look at seven key areas for the co-coaching duo to address with urgency.

1. Stamp out ill-discipline & boost motivation

Ntwari issue

First on the agenda for Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef is to stamp their authority on the squad. It is one thing being an assistant coach - who is often the "good cop" to the "bad cop" role of the head coach - but leading a high-profile club is a different matter.

The Fiacre Ntwari incident, where the goalkeeper refused to be substituted against Stellenbosch FC, was an indication that the players have not totally bought into the coaching duo's power. Many point to the fact that the coaches should have pre-planned that substitution so that Ntwari was not caught by surprise on the day. However, coaches have every right to make decisions on the spot, with players expected to follow commands from the bench.

Aside from the Ntwari incident, Sibongiseni Mthethwa did his level best to avoid being taken off too. He eventually relented and left the field of play, but for a trusty soldier like "Ox" to show a lack of faith in his coach duo's decision-making is alarming. We also saw Thabo Cele arguing with the bench at one point in that match. Ntwari was left out of the squad entirely for the last three matches (having been ahead of Bruce Bvuma in the pecking order before the aforementioned incident), and he let in two soft goals for Rwanda against Bafana Bafana. His confidence must be protected, as must his transfer value for any future sale.