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Will Kaizer Chiefs replace Da Cruz? Nasreddine Nabi responds

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed whether the club will bring in another technical team member to replace the departed assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz.

The Tunisian tactician was addressing the media after Amakhosi secured a 2-1 over Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium on Saturday in the Betway Premiership opener.

As expected, Da Cruz was not on the bench after the club confirmed his departure after the Soweto giants accepted an offer for the Frenchman to take up a position at the Moroccan Football Federation.

Khalil Ben Youssef currently remains the sole assistant coach for serving under Nabi.

When questioned about the possibility of appointing a successor for Da Cruz, the former Yanga coach indicated he would consider it, taking into account his significant workload in rebuilding the team.

He added that they’d first “observe the situation” to see if there is a necessity for the appointment.

NABI ON POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT OF FERNANDO DA CRUZ’S REPLACEMENT

“Why not? It’s possible, it’s possible,” said Nabi. “It’s possible because I have too much job. Now, I have only one assistant who has specific work.

“If Mr Cruz is in Morocco, I think he’s there definitely because we received a letter from Morocco. But we will have some little time to observe the situation.”

Will Kaizer Chiefs replace Da Cruz? Nasreddine Nabi responds
Nasreddine Nabi – Picture by Kaizer Chiefs

Arthur Zwane was recently linked with a return to the first team as a second assistant coach to Nabi.

However, speaking during the interview with MSW on 947, Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr dismissed the rumours, insisting that Zwane would remain in his position as a senior coach in the development.

KAIZER JR ON ARTHUR ZWANE’S LINKS WITH ASSISTANT COACH ROLE

“No, he doesn’t. I think sometimes that’s the challenge because we’re not sitting here with you, answering the questions,” said Motaung Jr.

“Also, for us, when someone says something on social media, the way it’s being picked up and run with it also causes unnecessary energy around the team.

“But with coach Arthur, no. Coach Arthur is our Senior Academy Coach, he is there at the academy side. I think the project and the programme they’ve put together is well underway. There was no truth to that at all.”

RELATED STORY: Da Cruz set for Morocco challenge after Chiefs’ release

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