Kaizer Chiefs FC former coach Denis Dos Santos has publicly questioned the Premier Soccer League’s Coach of the Season shortlist, saying the inclusion of ex‑Chiefs co‑coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef makes no sense.

Why the nominees raise eyebrows?

Dos Santos told KickOff that the PSL likely needed three names to fill the category, so the judges "just gave them a chance". He noted Kaze and Youssef failed to win any trophy last season and never established a clear playing identity for the team. "They didn’t compete for any cups, yet their names are there. That's amazing," he said, hinting the panel might be trying to be nice rather than merit‑based.

How Chiefs performed this season

Kaizer Chiefs FC sit 3rd in the Premier Soccer League with 54 points from 30 games, recording 15 wins, 9 draws and 6 losses, and a recent form of L W W D L. They have scored 33 goals while conceding 19, giving them a +14 goal difference, yet they remain 15 points behind leaders Orlando Pirates in the title race.

Comparison with other nominees

The other two nominees, Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns and Abdeslam Ouaddou of Orlando Pirates, each helped create a title race that was decided on the final day. Dos Santos argued that if he were on the judging panel, he would have voted for Pitso Dladla, who turned Durban City FC from a struggling side into Nedbank Cup champions and secured CAF Confederation Cup qualification. "The Chiefs coaches lost one, then another, drew the next, won the following, and lost again. Consistency was missing," he added.

What this means for the Chiefs’ future

If the PSL continues to reward coaches with poor records, clubs like Kaizer Chiefs may feel the pressure to appoint a manager who can deliver immediate results. The criticism from a respected former coach could push the board to reassess their coaching strategy ahead of next season’s transfer window. And with the club still chasing the title, the spotlight on leadership will only intensify.

What’s next for the award ceremony?

The PSL awards ceremony is set for Monday, 27 July 2026. While the shortlist remains unchanged, the backlash from former Chiefs insiders may force the league to justify its selections more transparently. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the awards reflect on‑field performance or simply fill a quota.