Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane’s selfless gesture towards former Young Africans coach Mohamed Nasreddine Nabi has been revealed.
The long-drawn negotiations to bring the Tunisian to Naturena continue with indications that Zwane could potentially be the kingmaker.
Zwane was in charge of Kaizer Chiefs as head coach last season, enduring an underwhelming maiden term at the helm.
Amakhosi finished fifth, having succumbed to 12 defeats in the DStv Premiership. They missed out on a place in the CAF interclub competitions.
Nonetheless, the club’s stance has always been clear about Zwane’s future. The club legend is an integral part of the team. He will continue in the senior team’s technical staff in a different capacity should a new coach come.
Management believes the project started under Zwane, and he will need to stay on for continuity.
ARTHUR ZWANE LIKELY TO STAY ON
The conviction is that a new coach would need a local coach to assist him, especially if he is from outside.
Having been at Chiefs as a player, youth coach and senior team coach, the club believes Zwane would be ideal to work with the new man.
In addition, Zwane has worked with several players from the club’s youth structures. Chiefs have several academy graduates, including Happy Mashiane, Sabelo Radebe, Mduduzi Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane and Wandile Duba.
Interestingly, a FARPost source revealed that during a meeting recently, Zwane indicated he was willing to work with any coach the club brings.
“Arthur believes the project is bigger than him; it’s about the club for him. He’s openly told management that he’s open to working with anyone they bring,” the source said.
The club’s sporting director has previously said the board of directors is “fully behind the coach”.
A source close to Nabi said he was eager to take up the Chiefs challenge ahead of other offers he has.
The two-time treble winner is on the radar of several teams in North Africa and the Middle East following his exploits in Tanzania.
The decision of who will be appointed as the next head coach of Chiefs is still up in the air, but Zwane’s gesture has certainly put Nabi in a strong position. If Nabi is appointed, Zwane could be a valuable asset to him.
The two coaches would be hoping to form a successful partnership to end the club’s eight-year trophy drought.
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