Chiefs legend Khune slams Ben Youssef over ‘missed’ CAF chance

Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has pulled no punches in his critique of head coach Khalil Ben Youssef, following what he perceives as a massive tactical oversight in Amakhosi’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

Despite moving into pole position in Group D with a 2-1 victory over Al Masry at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, the post-match atmosphere was tinged with frustration. While the three points lifted Chiefs to the summit—aided by ZESCO United’s shock 1-0 win over Zamalek SC—Khune believes Ben Youssef and his bench “missed a trick” to secure early qualification.

The Tactical Oversight By Chiefs

The math was simple: a two-goal victory would have mathematically sealed a quarter-final berth for Chiefs with a game to spare. However, after taking a 2-1 lead, the urgency evaporated. The tempo dropped, and Amakhosi appeared content to sit on a narrow lead, seemingly unaware that a third goal would have turned their final trip to Cairo into a dead rubber.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Ben Youssef focused on the performance rather than the missed mathematical advantage.

“It’s a good result but we have to think about ourselves,” Ben Youssef said. “Performance-wise, we are coming step by step. We missed opportunities, but the team is playing very well, and there are positive vibes inside.”

Khune’s ‘Apples and Apples’ Verdict

Those comments did not sit well with Khune. The veteran goalkeeper, who has navigated countless continental battles, questioned whether Ben Youssef’s technical team properly communicated the permutations to the players.

“Very disappointing,” Khune fired back. “The players should have been told that ‘guys, if we were to compare apples with apples, this is the juice you might get.’”

Khune argued that relying on “positive vibes” isn’t enough when goal difference and head-to-head records are on the line in a group this tight.

“They focused on themselves, which is important, but this table is too tight. They should have known better. It is very disappointing that this was not communicated to the coach; the players should have been told they needed that extra goal.”

High Stakes in Cairo

While Chiefs still control their own destiny, Khune’s frustration stems from the reality of what lies ahead. Instead of travelling to Egypt with the pressure off, Ben Youssef’s men now face a “final” against a wounded Zamalek side in the hostile atmosphere of Cairo this weekend.

As Khune suggests, a lack of “bench intelligence” on Saturday might have just made the road to the quarter-finals significantly steeper for the Soweto giants.