Former Kaizer Chiefs coaches in high demand as Naturena position remains unfilled

Kaizer Chiefs announced last month that they had parted ways with the duo as they seek a new direction, but are yet to name their successor.

However, the pair are in high demand, with both on the verge of joining rival top-flight clubs in the coming days, according to several media reports.

Reports have suggested that Chiefs are closing in on the signing of coach Fernando Da Cruz, who served briefly as assistant coach when Nasreddine Nabi arrived in July 2024, but left shortly afterwards.

He has coaching experience in France and Belgium, but has maintained a low profile since leaving Chiefs.

Burundi coach Kaze has been in discussions for some time with Sekhukhune United, who are seeking a permanent replacement for Eric Tinkler.

Sekhukhune finished the campaign in fifth place last season and will aim to build on that. Their tally of 11 draws may have cost them a higher finish.

The role at Chiefs was Kaze's first head coach position, as he and Ben Youssef stepped up from assistant coach roles when Nabi left the club at the start of the campaign.

Ben Youssef is reportedly in talks with Durban City, who are looking to end a chaotic run of coaching appointments that nonetheless yielded a top-half finish last season and the Nedbank Cup, which will see them play in the CAF Confederation Cup this coming campaign.

City had Gavin Hunt, Sinethemba Badela and Pitso Dladla all in charge last season and are now seeking stability.

The co-coach role at Chiefs was also a first for Ben Youssef, though he has extensive experience as an assistant at clubs such as Club Africain in Tunisia and AS FAR in Morocco, among others.

The 37-year-old Tunisian, like Kaze, holds a CAF A Licence, which would allow him to lead City in CAF interclub football.

Both are inexperienced as head coaches, but they at least know the league, having been at Chiefs since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, albeit as assistant coaches.