Double standards: Kaizer Chiefs' Ben Youssef slams PSL over Orlando Pirates’ 'light' schedule

Kaizer Chiefs’ assistant coach, Khalil Ben Youssef, has slammed the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for what he describes as “double standards” in fixture scheduling.

It is a topic that has repeatedly ignited across the South African football landscape. There has always been a feeling, justified or not, that Chiefs’ arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, are favoured because their owner, Irvin Khoza, is also the chairman of the PSL.

This controversy is far from new. There has long been a sentiment among supporters and clubs alike that Chiefs’ arch-rivals receive preferential treatment in fixture scheduling. Khoza is no stranger to scrutiny; his dual positions have raised eyebrows and fuelled a narrative suggesting a conflict of interest that casts a shadow over the PSL’s operations.

There have been longstanding concerns that the Pirates’ match schedules are influenced by Khoza, leading to speculation that this iconic club benefits from advantages unavailable to other teams. This reaction is understandable.

The Tunisian-born Ben Youssef’s comments mirror the frustrations of many in the football community. After a particularly congested start to the month, the Chiefs have already played more matches than some rivals, who have played significantly fewer.

Ben Youssef cited an unnamed team with only 13 games under their belt. His frustration comes at a critical time as Chiefs look to progress in CAF competitions while local rivals, such as Pirates, focus solely on domestic affairs.

“Another team, I don’t want to say the name - they have 13 games, and they don’t play anything (not CAF games),” Ben Youssef remarked, underscoring the disparity that he feels places an unfair burden on his squad.

He argued that if the Chiefs are representing South Africa in these continental tournaments, the PSL must acknowledge the additional pressures and adjust its scheduling accordingly.

“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 urged, calling out the inconsistency between competing teams’ schedules.

Drawing from his international experience, Ben Youssef lamented that in other footballing nations, clubs engaged in CAF competitions are typically permitted to reschedule fixtures to accommodate their continental commitments.

As the Chiefs prepare for a top-of-the-table clash against Zamalek in Cairo on Saturday, 14 February 2026, the team remains in a strong position at the top of Group D with 10 points, leading the group by 2 points over Egyptian giants Zamalek.

This match is crucial for Chiefs, who need either a win or a draw to secure a place in the quarter-finals. With a week to focus solely on this significant tie, Chiefs hope to alleviate some of the workload challenges Ben Youssef has poignantly highlighted.

Speaking to the overall need for adjustment from the PSL, Ben Youssef noted: “If you want to improve (the results of PSL teams), you have to help your team also.”

As the season progresses, lifting the burden on teams competing in both local and international competitions may become vital to the overall health and competitiveness of South African football.