Ben Youssef does not expect his team to win many championships this season: a surprising statement! | OneFootball

Ben Youssef does not expect his team to win many championships this season: a surprising statement!

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has moved to temper expectations surrounding the club's trophy ambitions this season, despite having three major competitions still within reach.

The Soweto giants, who began the season ineligible for the MTN8, saw their first chance at silverware end with elimination from the Carling Knockout. Their remaining hopes now lie in the Nedbank Cup, the CAF Confederation Cup, and the Betway Premiership, where they currently sit fifth after 12 matches, five points behind leaders Orlando Pirates.

Ben Youssef emphasized a pragmatic, step-by-step approach rather than promising immediate glory."We have to work and continue to believe. We don’t have to put pressure on ourselves because you see now we are performing well in PSL. People will start to discuss about the trophy and everything. We didn’t promise [to win] the [PSL] trophy," said Ben Youssef.

He acknowledged the club's stature but stressed the need for realism in their current situation."It’s true that we are a big team and we play every time for the trophies, but also we have to be logical in our mentality, in how we think."

Using their continental campaign as an example, he highlighted the importance of building foundations."Like I said about the CAF competition, you can’t be out of the CAF competition for a while and then you come one season to play and to think only to win this trophy."

Outlining a clear priority, Ben Youssef pointed to league improvement as the immediate objective."In the PSL last season, we were number nine, so first we have to finish the season in the top four. And if we get the opportunity to win one trophy, we’ll fight for the trophy, but we have to start building step by step, and you don’t have to put a lot of pressure."