Kaizer Chiefs Co-Coach Khalil Ben Youssef on the Soweto Derby: “It’s Just Three Points”

Ben Youssef appears to be alleviating the weight of expectation on his players by downplaying the importance of the match, yet for supporters of both Chiefs and Pirates, this encounter is monumental.

“It’s merely three points,” remarked Ben Youssef. “If we triumph over Orlando Pirates, will that hand us the title or an additional six points? It won’t cause any substantial change.”

While his statement may be accurate, it might not be the sentiment that Chiefs fans wish to hear.

“For us, it’s just another league match. Sure, it’s the derby, and there will be only one winning team in Soweto, whether it’s us or them. But at the end of the day, it’s just a league fixture. Our aim has been clear from day one of the season: we will tackle each game as it arrives.

“We shouldn’t shift our goals based on winning a single match or start panicking over losing one game.”

Recently, Chiefs were on a commendable run, aspiring for six consecutive victories until a midweek stalemate (0-0) against Polokwane City halted their momentum.

They are eager to return to winning ways to solidify their hold on third place in the league and ensure participation in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup. Currently, they hold a seven-point advantage over fourth-placed AmaZulu with a match in hand.

A victory over the league-leading Pirates would narrow the gap to nine points, with a game still to play. Nevertheless, overcoming a six-point deficit with only four matches left on the calendar appears a daunting task.

“The team has showcased excellent performance in our last six matches, securing five wins and a single draw. In the derby, the side that minimises errors and displays greater hunger will come out on top,” stated Ben Youssef, before hinting that their previous 3-0 defeat to Pirates in February should not be overly scrutinised.

“During that period, we faced some misfortune with numerous injuries. It’s challenging as a coach when the squad isn’t stable, requiring many alterations, which disrupts consistency,” explained Ben Youssef.

“However, in the last five to six matches, we have fielded a consistent lineup. When we have continuity, our performance and results reflect that.”

“We were also a bit unlucky during the first half of the season, where we dropped several points despite strong performances without scoring.”

Ben Youssef did extend a few encouraging words to the dedicated AmaKhosi supporters.

“We don’t just have supporters; we have family,” he expressed. “This is our opportunity to bring them joy and hope. We aspire for them to relish the match, the performance, and the outcome.

“Ultimately, our focus is on giving back to the fans, making them proud, and continuing our fight to finish as high as possible this season.”