Kaizer Chiefs' coach believes club can only sign 'mentally strong' players detached from social media as they can be 'like Messi' one day and be a 'plumber' the next

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has explained why the Premier Soccer League side went for players deemed to be strong mentally.

Youssef has pinpointed the pressure that comes with being a Chiefs player as one of the reasons that made them carefully select certain types of stars to sign.

“Bringing players with character, mentally strong, who can resist the pressure here. Because honestly, there is a lot of pressure in this team, like in other teams, but let me say the pressure is very big here," Youssef told the media.

"Secondly, with the social media here, we need professional players, players who don’t see [or get fazed] about social media, because here you score one goal, you are like Messi; tomorrow you miss a penalty, you are a plumber, and you know nothing about football," he added.

“It’s so emotional here. So, if you have players who are a lot on social media and without character, it’s easy to destroy them."

“That’s why we want to bring players with character, who played on the high level, who know what pressure means, and how they control and manage it – that’s the most important thing. And also, the technique and the tactic.”

Youssef and Cedric Kaze have been in charge of the team, with Nasreddine Nabi expected to leave the Naturena outfit. The Tunisian tactician has himself confirmed that he has left the Glamour Boys, and his assistants were in charge of the last two games.

The club, however, said they were in talks with the former Young Africans SC head coach, who has not been with the team. Nabi was fully in charge when Amakhosi signed the 10 new players added to their squad.

After a gruelling CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Kabuscorp of Angola, which went to extra time and penalties, Chiefs will return to action on Wednesday.

A league test against AmaZulu awaits them at the FNB Stadium which presents the Soweto giants a chance to return to winning ways after previously dropping points against Marumo Gallants following a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 loss to Sekhukhune United.