Kaizer Chiefs tactical blueprint against Mofokeng, Appollis revealed

By Velile Mnyandu
27th April 2026

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has explained that they tweaked their midfield operation to counter the threat of Orlando Pirates duo Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.

Speaking after the emotionally charged Soweto Derby that ended 1-1 at FNB Stadium last night, Ben Youssef says they opted to start Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa to counter the opposition’s offensive threat.

The Tunisian coach also commended his players for showing character after surviving dark arts from before the game that saw them abruptly leave the pitch.

"About the game, I think the plan that was prepared from earlier in the week was that we know the target of Orlando Pirates is zone 14 – the space in between the lines, and they use Mofokeng, Moremi and Appollis in there," explained Ben Youssef.

"For that we introduced Ox [to the starting line-up] to give us more balance defensively, and we knew that they would give us a lot of space, and we tried just to contain in the first half.

"And I think defensively we were there, it was more of a physical battle in the first half and I think we were there and we showed a very good performance.

"Because after what happened before the game, I think the character that the players showed, that didn't disturb us and we stayed focussed on the game."

READ: Ben Youssef embarrassed after Soweto Derby chaos

Despite managing only one shot on target, which was Pule Mmodi’s goal, Ben Youssef feels they should have won the game.

"In the second half, we removed Ox and put [Mduduzi] Shabalala because we knew they would come in our half and leave a lot of space behind," he continued.

"And that's what we discussed at half time, that immediately after we recover the ball we need to play it deep, and it was the situation of the game.

"I thought we deserved to win this game, unfortunately in this kind of game and this kind of level, when you make a small mistake, you pay cash [sic].

"And today I think one mistake we made and we paid cash and we conceded the goal, but I'm so happy about the performance of the players, even those who were not in the team, they came and gave a good performance today.

"I'm not happy about the result, I think we deserved to win this game, we can't make this kind of mistake, but, like I said, we have to continue to fight and we have to reach the maximum points on the table."