Despite the disappointment of missing out on a top-eight finish in the 2024/25 season, Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has identified key areas where fans can still find pride and joy in the Amakhosi’s performance.
Nabi’s troops failed to secure a top-eight finish for the second consecutive season. Their goalless draw against Polokwane City FC at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, their final game of the season, left them in ninth place with 32 points.
A victory would have propelled them to 34 points and into the top eight. The failure is a bitter pill to swallow, especially after last season’s 10th-place finish, their worst league performance ever.
Adding salt to injury, Chiefs’ current ninth-place standing isn’t guaranteed. They could still slip to 10th if Golden Arrows win their rescheduled match against SuperSport United.
The draw against Rise and Shine also casts further doubt on Nabi’s future at Amakhosi.
However, the Tunisian tactician recently ended Chiefs’ 10-year trophy drought by beating Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final earlier this month. The cup victory will see Chiefs play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
NABI TELLS FANS TO CELEBRATE RARE TROPHY AMIDST LEAGUE DISAPPOINTMENT
Nabi has urged the Amakhosi faithful to find solace and celebration in their recent cup triumph, even with the league setback. He emphasised the significance of ending the club’s long trophy drought, highlighting that not every team achieves such success.
“I would say that we knew that the season was going to be tough given the process which we are engaged in as a club,” said Nabi at FNB Stadium.
“However, everything that has been done now, there is a clear path to know what we need to do, which kind of decision we need to take, and which kind of direction we need to go through to be better next season.
“But not qualifying for the top eight is a disappointment, but that can’t undermine the efforts the players have put in and what they have achieved, which is to win the Nedbank Cup. A lot of years without winning it, and also, not every team has won a trophy this season.
“Our fans need to take pride in that, take joy in that.”
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