Kaizer Chiefs' assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef isn't holding back. He's called out the Premier Soccer League for what he sees as clear favoritism in how fixtures are scheduled.
The issue? Chiefs are grinding through game after game while their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates seem to have a much lighter load. And Ben Youssef thinks he knows why.
This isn't just random complaining. There's long been talk that Pirates get special treatment because their owner, Irvin Khoza, also happens to be the PSL chairman. Fair or not, that dual role has always raised eyebrows across South African football.
Ben Youssef pointed out that one unnamed team - and we can read between the lines here - has played only 13 games this season. Meanwhile, Chiefs are juggling both domestic league matches and their CAF Champions League campaign. The workload difference is massive.
Continental Burden Without League Support
"Another team, I don't want to say the name - they have 13 games, and they don't play anything," the Tunisian coach said. His frustration is understandable when you're trying to compete on two fronts.
Ben Youssef made a simple but powerful point. If Chiefs are representing South Africa in continental competition, the PSL should help them out with scheduling. In other countries, that's exactly what happens - clubs in CAF competitions get fixtures moved to give them proper preparation time.
"If we are only representing Kaizer Chiefs, tell us that you are only representing Kaizer Chiefs. But if we are representing South Africa, tell us that you are representing South Africa," he argued.
Big Match Ahead Despite Scheduling Drama
The timing of these comments matters. Chiefs face Egyptian giants Zamalek in Cairo on Saturday, 14 February 2026. It's a massive match that could seal their spot in the quarter-finals.
The good news? Chiefs sit top of Group D with 10 points, two clear of Zamalek. A win or draw gets them through, and they've got a full week to prepare without domestic distractions.
For bettors watching this drama unfold, fixture congestion is always worth monitoring. Teams playing twice a week tend to drop points eventually, especially if they're not getting the scheduling help their rivals enjoy. Chiefs' continental form has been solid so far, but the cumulative fatigue could become a factor later in the season.
"If you want to improve the results of PSL teams, you have to help your team also," Ben Youssef noted. It's hard to argue with that logic when South African clubs are trying to compete with the best in Africa.
Whether the PSL will address these scheduling concerns remains to be seen. But one thing's certain - this conversation isn't going away anytime soon.
