Chiefs’ Cedric Kaze hits back at ‘translator’ labels

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has issued a defiant response to critics questioning his credentials, firmly dismissing the narrative that he is merely a “translator” who transitioned into a coaching role at the Soweto giants.

The Burundian tactician, who currently shares the helm with Khalil Ben Youssef following Nasreddine Nabi’s departure, has been the subject of intense scrutiny on social media. Despite the noise, Kaze remains focused on the task at hand following Amakhosi’s 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Sunday.

“You know, I know football is quite difficult and social media and everyone thinks their opinions are important, but the biggest thing is the trust we have from the club and the trust we have in ourselves,” Kaze asserted.

INSIDE CEDRIC KAZE’S CV: FROM BARCA TO KAIZER CHIEFS

Far from the “newcomer” label often attached to him by detractors, Kaze boasts a sophisticated coaching résumé spanning multiple continents. His journey began in 2007 within the Burundian national structures, where he rose through the ranks from U17 assistant to the senior national team, U-20, and U-23 setups over an eight-year period.

His international exposure deepened in Canada and later at the prestigious FC Barcelona satellite Academy, where he spent over two years honing his technical craft. Furthermore, his partnership with Nasreddine Nabi at Young Africans in Tanzania yielded a domestic league title and a historic run to the CAF Confederation Cup final.

For Chiefs coach Kaze, this extensive background serves as a shield against public perception.

“I was born in a small country, Burundi—what are the odds that I’d be here? It means I have been in very big spaces and these [comments] don’t hurt me personally,” he explained. “I know what I am capable of, and with the trust that we have from the club, we will do everything we can to place the team where it belongs.”

The coach’s expertise was recently sought after on the international stage. During the March FIFA break, the Fédération de Football du Burundi appointed Kaze as Technical Adviser for their AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifiers against Chad.

The impact was immediate. Burundi secured convincing victories in both legs, a feat former international goalkeeper Aime Kitenge described as historic. Kitenge praised Kaze’s “football intelligence,” noting that his influence brought a refreshing and dominant tactical feel to the national side after just one camp.

As Chiefs continue their four-game winning streak, Kaze’s focus remains on consistency and silencing the doubters through results on the pitch rather than debates off it.