Ben Youssef Defends Substitution Decision Amidst Vilakazi Performance Questions

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef appeared visibly annoyed when asked why Mfundo Vilakazi was substituted before the start of the second half during their 1–0 win over Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

This came despite Vilakazi having delivered a stellar performance the previous weekend, when Chiefs beat AS Simba 3–1 in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second-round clash at Dobsonville Stadium. When pressed on the decision, Ben Youssef snapped, asking why a reporter was not questioning the other substitutions.

Vilakazi’s set-piece deliveries had caused all sorts of problems for the Congolese side, with Zitha Kwinika and Glody Lilepo benefiting from his precise crosses.

With the youngster’s confidence high, the Chiefs technical team handed him another start in Durban.

Vilakazi again looked lively, playing a few dangerous crosses and threading defence-splitting passes, but Durban City managed to neutralise much of his threat with a compact defensive setup.

“It was just a substitution,” Ben Youssef said. “Why don’t you ask about other substitutions? Why not about Dillan Solomons or the other players?

“Why Vilakazi? He’s part of the team — just one player. When we make substitutions, we don’t always have to explain them. Sometimes it’s about performance, sometimes it’s about changing strategy. We can make substitutions for many reasons, and I don’t have to justify every one.”

Vilakazi remained a fan favourite, as the crowd at the packed Durban venue cheered every time he touched the ball — clearly remembering his impressive showing against the Congolese side that helped Chiefs qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

Ironically, one of the substitutions Ben Youssef was asked about proved decisive. Flavio da Silva came off the bench to score a superb header two minutes before full-time, connecting perfectly with a Gaston Sirino cross to end Chiefs’ three-game winless run in the league.

The victory lifted Amakhosi to third place in the Betway Premiership standings, with 19 points from 10 matches.