Kaze reveals Sheppard’s specific mission in new Chiefs role

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has clarified Dillon Sheppard’s new role within the senior team, confirming that the former Bafana Bafana winger has been brought back to help solve Amakhosi’s scoring woes.

Sheppard, affectionately known as ‘Sheppy’, returns to the first-team dugout after nearly 20 months working within the club’s development structures and the DStv Diski Challenge side. His return comes at a critical time for the Soweto giants, who have struggled for consistency in front of goal this season.

Despite sitting in the upper reaches of the Betway Premiership, Chiefs have netted only 17 goals—the lowest among the top five and a figure comparable to teams in the relegation dogfight, such as 15th-placed Orbit College.

The Answer to the ‘Striker Coach’ Question At Chiefs – Sheppard

Addressing the media following the 1-0 win over Durban City FC, Kaze was asked whether the club required a specialist striker’s coach to sharpen a misfiring frontline. The Burundian tactician pointed to Sheppard’s arrival as the internal solution to that problem.

“I believe that the technical staff has enough skill to deal with that [lack of goals],” Kaze explained. “It’s something we’ve been working on, and we now also have an extra member in the technical staff. With the experience he has, and the experience of everyone else… [we’re confident].”

Sheppard is a veteran of the Naturena bench, having served as an assistant under Gavin Hunt, Stuart Baxter, Arthur Zwane, Molefi Ntseki, and Cavin Johnson. His familiarity with the club’s culture and the demands of the PSL is seen as a vital asset to the current technical duo.

Mental and Technical Reinforcements

Kaze revealed that Sheppard is already heavily involved in specialised training drills designed to replicate match-day scenarios. The focus isn’t just on technique, but also on the psychological aspect of finishing.

“On the training ground, we do a lot of exercises to finish—a lot of situations that could arise in the game,” Kaze added. “I’m sure that once the players gain a bit more confidence, we’re gonna be better in that phase.”

The narrow victory over Durban City moved Chiefs to fifth place, just one point behind AmaZulu FC and Sekhukhune United, with two games in hand.

With Sheppard now back in the fold to provide a local perspective and attacking expertise, the technical team will be hoping for a more clinical performance when they host struggling Magesi FC at FNB Stadium this Saturday.