Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango and a former Yanga SC star have offered a glimpse into the inner workings of Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi.
The Tunisian joined Chiefs early in July after stints with Tanzania’s Young Africans and AS FAR Rabat of Morocco.
Nabi has been with the PSL giants for just over a month now as they prepare for the 2024/25 season.
Chiefs, after enduring a nine-year trophy drought, are pinning their hopes on Nabi and his technical team to reverse their fortunes and bring silverware back to Naturena.
WHAT GIVEN MSIMANGO & YUSUPH ATHUMA SAID ABOUT NASREDDINE NABI
Msimango has described the veteran mentor as a “father figure”.
“What you see is what you get from the coach. A very straightforward person, highly demanding of performances on the pitch but more importantly a father figure as well,” he told FARPost recently.
“You can always go to him for advice if there’s certain things you don’t understand when it comes to football. With time we’ll understand him better. We’re still learning him.”
Drawing from their time together in Tanzania, Yusuph Athuman dissects Nabi’s coaching philosophy, revealing the key elements that propelled Yanga to titles. Athuman emphasises Nabi’s meticulous attention to detail in crafting game plans. He describes the coach’s ability to analyse opponents’ weaknesses and exploit them with precision.
“Coach Nabi’s tactical brilliance is his greatest asset,” Athuman explains. “He sees several moves ahead, always anticipating how the opponent will react. Coach Nabi demands the highest levels of commitment and discipline from every player.”
The 21-year-old forward stresses Nabi’s ability to create a winning culture within the team. “It’s not just about individual talent; it’s about fostering a collective spirit where every player understands their role and is willing to sacrifice for the greater good.
“Nabi created an environment where we all felt like family,” Athuman reveals. “We supported each other on and off the field. That unity translated into our performances on match day.”
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