Ben Youssef hails 'mental fortitude' as Kaizer Chiefs eye deep CAF Confederation Cup run

In Polokwane, on a sun-drenched afternoon at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs delivered a performance that blended grit with continental nous, edging Al Masry to sit atop CAF Confederation Cup Group D and send a message that this Amakhosi team refuses to be defined by past setbacks.

In the build-up to the clash with the Egyptian side, Chiefs viewed the game as a “cup final”—a must-win to keep quarter-final dreams alive. Coach Khalil Ben Youssef knew the psychological baggage his squad carried. Coming off a disappointing exit from the Nedbank Cup just days earlier, the mental preparation was as vital as tactical tweaks.

“It was a difficult game for us because we were coming from a bad result, so it was mentally tough for the players. We spent a lot of time having individual meetings with the players to keep them motivated and working,” he reflected.

Chiefs had to withstand sustained pressure from Al Masry, who pushed hard to disrupt the home side’s rhythm. Yet, despite moments of uncertainty, the Soweto giants showed resilience and composure under pressure, proving their mental preparation paid dividends.

With this result, Chiefs now lead Group D with one game remaining, keeping their fate in their own hands. The tactical victory is important, but the psychological lift may be even greater. With qualification within sight, Ben Youssef’s clarity of purpose rang loud.

“I think now we finished this game and we’re number one in the group. If we want to qualify, then we have to go to Egypt and fight for three points or a minimum of one point.”

Those words weren’t just about numbers—they were a manifesto. For Ben Youssef, every match now operates like a final, a mindset he reiterated emphatically.

“All the players know the importance of this game; we’re playing a cup final every three days and therefore we have to come back next weekend to confirm our qualification,” he said.

Chiefs’ season — once teetering on the brink after domestic disappointment — now pulses with continental promise. The Polokwane clash was more than three points; it was a psychological reset. Chiefs showed the resolve to absorb pressure, strike back when needed, and, crucially, the mental fortitude to treat every fixture as a mission with purpose.

Next stop Cairo — where history and a place in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals await. If this Polokwane performance is anything to go by, Chiefs are ready to meet that challenge head-on.

Amakhosi have already battled Zamalek in the first round of the group stages; that encounter produced a scarring draw but also set up these two giants of African football for an enthralling finale in North Africa.