No previous imported coach for Kaizer Chiefs has been allowed to have as expansive a support staff as new boss Nasreddine Nabi, who has roped in a new assistant at the club.
Burundi-born, Canada-based Cedric Kaze has arrived to help the Belgian-Tunisian coach who last month saw his original assistant Fernando da Cruz leave after just weeks at the club.
Ladies and gentlemen, Cedric Kaze at work❤️✌🏾
— El Capitano⚪ (@_izodlalaiTv) October 19, 2024
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi🫡🫡pic.twitter.com/KiUcWmLQly
Da Cruz went back in early September to Morocco, where he had worked with Nabi at Royal Armed Forces, to take up a post with the Moroccan football federation.
New Assistant Coach
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) October 17, 2024
Kaizer Chiefs have appointed Cedric Kaze as the new assistant coach. This strategic addition to coach Nasreddine Nabi's technical team aims to bolster the Club's performance and aspirations for the season.#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome
It has taken more than a month for Nabi and Chiefs to settle on a replacement with Kaze’s appointment announced ahead of last weekend's Carling Knockout first round clash against SuperSport United, although he was not on the bench with the other assistants Khalil Ben Youssef and goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi.
Maybe the presence of Cedric Kaze will make a huge difference in this, but maybe Ta @alfavina, you can ask the media guys to each ask 1 question at a time during the presser.[To coach Nabi]
— El Capitano⚪ (@_izodlalaiTv) October 18, 2024
▪︎ Very often, the 2nd or 3rd questions are not properly answered because the question… pic.twitter.com/eCscROinnw
He will need to receive a work permit first before being able to make his contribution alongside Nabi, who brought three other assistants with him when appointed in a first for the club whose previous foreign coaches have come alone and worked with local coaches on their staff.
Kaze understudied Nabi at Young Africans in Tanzania between 2021-23. He is a former player in his home country and a university graduate with a sports science degree.
He has also studied in Germany after beginning coaching at clubs in Burundi and when he went back home helped Atletico Olympic to the 2011 title before joining Mukura Victory in neighbouring Rwanda. He was also appointed to take charge of Burundi’s junior national teams.
In 2015, Kaze moved to Canada to join Soccer is Everything, a coaching consultancy set-up in Edmonton where he is still listed among their staff. Among their clients are Spanish giants Barcelona, who hold camps for youngsters in Canada each year and where Kaze has worked.
Back in Africa, he took over at Young Africans in Tanzania in October, 2020, following the sacking of former Polokwane City coach Zlatko Krmpotic, and went on to post an unbeaten run in the first round of the season.
But Yanga dropped points in the second half season and were overtaken by arch rials Simba in title race, leading to Kaze’s sacking after six months in charge.
However, he was back at the club not long after to work as Nabi’s assistant and also as the club’s technical director before leaving in June last year.
Chiefs’ Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung feels Kaze has the goods to deliver. “Coach Cedric has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the game throughout his coaching career,” he said
“His familiarity with coach Nabi’s methods and their proven partnership will be invaluable as we aim for excellence on the pitch.”
A club statement added: “AmaKhosi believe that Kaze’s addition will enhance the technical team’s capabilities, driving the players to reach new heights and solidifying the Club’s position as a top contender in the league.
“Kaizer Chiefs supporters can look forward to an exciting season ahead as Kaze works together Nabi and the rest of the technical team including Khalil Ben Youssef, Ilyes Mzoughi and Safi Majdi to build a formidable squad.”