Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has delivered a clear
directive to his forwards following a frustrating goalless draw with Chippa
United, demanding greater composure and sharper decision-making in the final
third.
The stalemate at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday saw Amakhosi
spurn numerous scoring chances, a recurring issue the coaching staff had
specifically addressed before the match. Despite the disappointment, Ben
Youssef’s immediate focus is on Sunday’s final Betway Premiership clash of
the year against TS Galaxy.
“We discussed the final third. Every game we create a lot of opportunities,
but we are unlucky to score,” Ben Youssef told journalists. “In football, if
you don’t score, you are at big risk of conceding. Defensively, we kept a
clean sheet today. For us, we have to continue and think about the next game
against Galaxy.”
While acknowledging the team’s defensive solidity, Ben Youssef emphasized
the urgent need to correct their profligacy in front of goal. He revealed
that the importance of securing maximum points from their last two games of
the year to maintain a high league position was a key part of the pre-match
discussion.
“The players fought to win this game, and we must give credit to Chippa—they
were also fighting for points, and we know their situation,” he stated.
“This result is disappointing for sure because we came here to win. We were
unlucky to score despite many opportunities. Now we must move on.”
Looking ahead, the coach outlined that a victory against TS Galaxy could
propel Chiefs from their current fifth place to third in the standings,
level on points with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
He also detailed the rotational efforts made to ignite the attack against
Chippa, utilizing all his striking options. The team started with Flavio
Silva, introduced Etiosa Ighodaro as a substitute, and later played with two
strikers, pairing Khanyisa Mayo with both Silva and Ighodaro. Wingers Mfundo
Vilakazi, Asanele Velebayi, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Pule Mmodi were all
deployed in search of a breakthrough.
“All our strikers were on the pitch. They created many opportunities, but we
have to be more focused in the last third with our technical choices to
score the goals,” Ben Youssef concluded, issuing a clear challenge to his
attack ahead of a crucial weekend fixture.
