Mfundo Vilakazi of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates scoring the penalty that ensured the Amakhosi's 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday night. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Ben Khalil Youssef revealed that Kaizer Chiefs’ return to CAF competition was one of the club’s major objectives this season, after officially securing continental qualification on Sunday evening.
Chiefs booked their place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium. The result lifted Amakhosi onto 51 points in the league, securing third place in the Betway Premiership standings with two matches still remaining.
Speaking after the match, Youssef admitted returning to continental football remained an important target for both the technical team and supporters, after Chiefs experienced CAF football again this season via last season's Nedbank Cup championship run.
“I think we’ve spoken the entire season about how important it is that we qualify for CAF competitions," Youssef said. "After playing there this season, we wanted to go back again and play that cup again for the club and the fans because we are one of the biggest clubs on the continent."
The Tunisian mentor also insisted Chiefs are not yet finished with two league fixtures remaining against AmaZulu and Chippa United, and Youssef believes maintaining momentum remains important heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
“We are not done yet, we still have two more games to play and we have to compete and claim the maximum points available.”
Chiefs entered the fixture against Sekhukhune under pressure, following a four-match winless run in the league, although their spirited draw against Mamelodi Sundowns last week appeared to have restored some confidence inside the squad.
Youssef praised the mentality shown by his players against Sekhukhune, particularly given the physical and emotional demands of their encounter against the defending champions just days earlier.
“About the game, the players showed great character. It was very difficult for them to come out and put it a good performance after the game we played against Sundowns in midweek,” he explained. “I’m very proud of them, and the desire they showed.”
Chiefs eventually broke Sekhukhune’s resistance late in the match through Tashreeq Morris, before Mfundo Vilakazi added a second goal in stoppage time to complete an important evening for Amakhosi.