Kaizer Chiefs legend Lucas Radebe has weighed in on the club’s prospects under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, expressing cautious optimism ahead of their crucial clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Nabi, who took over the reins at Amakhosi this season, faces a stern test against the reigning league champions at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs have started their campaign with victories over Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC, fuelling hopes of a resurgence after several disappointing seasons.
“I think Chiefs is a big brand, and there are a lot of expectations from everywhere,” Radebe told FARPost. The former Bafana Bafana captain understands the immense pressure associated with the club, acknowledging the impact of the team’s performance on its passionate fanbase.
WHAT RADEBE THINKS ABOUT NABI AND CHIEFS’ FUTURE
Radebe believes the appointment of Nabi and the recent acquisition of new players signal a clear intent to restore Chiefs to their former glory. “What we’ve seen in the acquisition of Nabi, we’ve seen his intentions as very positive from the club,” he noted.
“The players they signed; it’s quite encouraging to see that this club wants to return to the glory days again.”
While encouraged by the early signs of improvement, Radebe emphasised the need for consistency. “We’ve seen with the games they’ve played, yes, it’s still early, but there is an improvement,” he said. “Hopefully, they will grow and get better and better.”
He cautioned that achieving sustained success requires patience, especially with Mamelodi Sundowns setting a high bar in both domestic and continental competitions. “Getting the consistency you need to get results and the club going takes a lot of patience,” Radebe warned.
He challenged Amakhosi to emulate Sundowns’ success. “This is what Kaizer Chiefs need to do to be able to win the league; they need to be consistent in winning and getting great results.”
He believes Chiefs should be competing for continental silverware alongside Sundowns, given their stature in South African football.
Despite the challenges, Radebe remains optimistic about Nabi’s leadership and the club’s strategic plan. “I think Nabi is on the right track,” he affirmed, expressing confidence in the coach’s ability to guide the team back to its winning ways.
RELATED STORY: Nabi: ‘Kaizer Chiefs are ‘20% of what I imagine’
