Goal.com
LiveTickets
+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Khalil Ben Youssef, Kaizer Chiefs, November 2025Backpage
Sinolwetu Tompela

Khalil Ben Youssef opens up on Kaizer Chiefs shuffle: ‘Every week we are forced to make substitutions...’

Premier Soccer League
Kaizer Chiefs
K. Ben Youssef
Orbit College vs Kaizer Chiefs
Orbit College
Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
TS Galaxy
Magesi FC vs Kaizer Chiefs
Magesi FC
D. Solomons

Chiefs co-coach has lifted the lid on the ongoing personnel headaches affecting the Soweto giants, admitting that the technical team is being pushed into constant tactical reshuffles. Even after a morale-boosting 3-1 triumph over Orbit College FC, Amakhosi are still sweating over the fitness of several key first-team regulars, keeping the selection dilemma very much alive.

  • Chopping & changing at Naturena

    Kaizer Chiefs’ pursuit of a top-three finish in the Premier Soccer League continues to be hampered by a relentless wave of injuries and suspensions.

    Following Monday’s 3-1 league victory over Orbit College, co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef highlighted the frustration of never being able to field a settled starting XI, with circumstances beyond the coaching staff’s control forcing constant reshuffles.

    • Advertisement
  • Khalil Ben Youssef, Kaizer Chiefs, January 2026Backpage

    The persistent injury curse at Naturena

    One of the frustrations among Amakhosi faithful, and a major reason calls have grown for the co-coaches’ exit from Naturena by the end of the 2025/26 season—has been the squad’s inconsistency. With the noticeable absence of Dillan Solomons at Gqeberha, the 37-year-old co-coach broke down the issues behind the team’s struggle for consistency.

    “Let me say 90% of our injury it was due to contact in the game. So, we were unlucky. Every game, we will miss one player or two players, but like I said to you, 80% of our injuries are about contact. It’s bad luck,” explained Ben Youssef as per FARPost.

    The Tunisian tactician was quick to point out that these setbacks are not a result of poor conditioning but rather the physical nature of the league, leaving the medical department working overtime.

  • Dillan Solomons, Kaizer ChiefsBackpagepix

    Solomons joins the casualty list

    “If you look at the last few games, some people have discussed the inconsistency in the squad, but like today, the two substitutions we made were Miguel because it was about a yellow card and Solomons because of an injury,” the coach continued.

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Kaizer Chiefs, March 2026Backpage

    'We are forced to make substitution'

    Ben Youssef detailed the weekly struggle of balancing the roster.

    “Let me say every week we are forced to make substitutions coming from yellow card or injury. But I have to say thank you for the board that we have a big squad. So, every time one player is not here, there is another player he comes and to make the same job. We have a big squad, and everyone is ready, he has to fight, to continue to play or to keep his position.”

    Despite the ‘chop and change’ in recent line-ups, Amakhosi have recently kept results on the pitch relatively positive. The three points against Mswenko Boys have lifted them to third in the standings, though the battle for CAF spots remains finely poised. As the business end of the season looms, the squad’s depth will be tested like never before.