Kaizer Chiefs new head coach, Nasreddine Nabi has shed light on his vision for the squad’s size, signalling potential exits at the club.
‘Amakhosi’ enter the final stage of their preparations for the upcoming season. Nabi, known for his meticulous approach to squad management, has expressed his desire to work with a lean and competitive group of players.
At Tanzania giants Young Africans, the 59-year-old mentor worked with an average of 25 players in his two seasons. In his last job in Morocco, he had 24 players at AS FAR Rabat.
The Tunisian mentor revealed his preference for a squad size of around 22 players, emphasising the importance of maintaining a balance between quality and quantity. This approach, he believes, ensures that every player in the squad has a genuine chance to contribute and compete for a starting position.
Chiefs are out of the CAF club competitions after finishing 10th last season. They also missed out on the MTN8 and will compete in three competitions. The Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup and the Carling Knockout are the only competitions they take part in.
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“It’s a big club,” said Nabi during the Betway Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday. “I don’t want to build with medium players. In addition, I want to build with top players. I am clear. Yes, I have big players in the squad. But I want more big players.”
While Nabi has not explicitly named any players who are on the verge of being released, it is widely speculated that several players might be facing an uncertain future at the club. With Nabi’s preference for a smaller squad, coupled with the recent influx of new signings, some existing players may find their opportunities limited.
“At the right moment, we will talk about which players will go because you need to respect the players. We will work with other clubs to look for possibilities for the players,” he added.
When asked what his ideal squad number is, he said: “The normal squad is composed of maximum 22 players. I push for this number but it’s not easy.”
Players whose positions overlap with new signings are likely to be at the highest risk of being released. Amakhosi have made four defensive signings: Angola international Miguel Inacio, Bafana Bafana rising star Rushwin Dortley, Bradley Cross, and Bongani Sam.
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Those four arrivals could potentially push Zitha Kwinika, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Happy Mashiane down the pecking order. The situation leaves them at a high risk of being released in the near future.
With Njabulo Blom back in the mix and Gaston Sirino joining the team, midfielders Edson Castillo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa may find their positions under threat. Up-and-coming Samkelo Zwane looks set to play a big role this season.
Even though the Soweto giants haven’t made many signings in the forward positions, the rise of promising young talents like Donay Jansen, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Wandile Duba is likely to put pressure on players like Christian Saile and Pule Mmodi to fight for their spots in the team.
Additionally, Nabi’s emphasis on a high level of quality in all areas of the pitch suggests that players who haven’t consistently performed at their best may also be vulnerable.
Nabi has made it clear that he will not compromise on quality when it comes to building his squad. He has stressed the importance of having players who can consistently deliver top-level performances and contribute to the team’s success.
As the transfer window progresses and Nabi continues to assess his squad, it’s expected that further clarity will emerge regarding which players may be on their way out of Naturena.
While this period of uncertainty may be unsettling for some players, it’s important to remember that Nabi’s ultimate goal is to create a squad capable of challenging for major honours and ending the club’s trophy drought.
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