Marumo Gallants mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou has spoken highly of Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi, proclaiming: “He’s one of the best coaches in Africa”, even as Amakhosi navigate an inconsistent season.
Results haven’t been forthcoming for the Soweto giants, having gone six Betway Premiership matches without a win. The last time the club won a league game was against Magesi FC on 4 March 2025.
Nabi’s troops currently occupy ninth place on the log standings, having accumulated 30 points from their 25 games played. Under Nabi’s guidance, Amakhosi has recorded eight victories, six draws, and suffered 11 defeats.
With only three league matches left – against Orlando Pirates [home, May 3rd, 2025], Sekhukhune United [away, May 17th, 2025], and Polokwane City FC [home, May 24th, 2025] – Chiefs will be aiming to break into the top eight after failing to do so in the previous campaign.
A significant positive for the Soweto giants amidst their inconsistent league form is their progression to the Nedbank Cup final and their qualification for the CAF inter-club competition, marking a return after four years.
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Former Moroccan international Ouaddou stated that Nabi ranks among Africa’s top coaches, stressing that the Tunisian tactician simply requires time to fully integrate his playing style at Chiefs.
Evidence of Nabi’s coaching prowess, as highlighted by Ouaddou, can be seen in his successful spells across the continent. With Young Africans SC of Tanzania [2021/2023], he won six trophies: consecutive league titles, two domestic cups, and two Community Shields, culminating in a historic first CAF Confederation Cup final appearance for the club.
His impact continued in Morocco with AS FAR, where he narrowly missed out on the 2023/24 Botola Pro 1 title, finishing just behind Raja Casablanca, and also led the team to the Throne Cup final.
Prior to these achievements, Nabi also tasted success in Sudan, winning the Premier League and the Sudanese Cup with Al-Merrikh SC in 2021/22, alongside guiding them to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. He also won the CAF Confederation Cup with Congo side FC Leopards in 2012.
“…I know that he [Nasreddine Nabi] is a very big name, a very big coach in Africa. I know him,” said Ouaddou.
“He has achieved great things in Morocco, and in Morocco, they love him.
“I think football is a kind of project, where sometimes you need time to settle your ideas and your game model. I believe he is one of the best coaches in Africa.”
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