An unfamiliar face, Firas Zghal, was constantly seen alongside Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi during the ongoing training camp in the Netherlands. Here’s what we know about his connection to Amakhosi.
Firas Zghal took charge of conditioning since Majdi Safi was unable to travel with the team on their European tour.
Safi was on Wydad Athletic Club’s radar, but his running contract with Chiefs prevented him from departing. Currently, he is in South Africa, training the remaining players who could not travel with the team for pre-season for various reasons.
Meanwhile, Chiefs, who played five friendly matches, enlisted the services of Zghal, a France-based strength and conditioning guru. But who is Firas Zghal, and what is his arrangement with the Soweto giants?
WHO IS FIRAS ZGHAL AND WHAT’S HIS ARRANGEMENT WITH KAIZER CHIEFS?
Zghal is an associate professor at the University of Paris-Saclay in France. He previously played football as a forward, with his last club being CS Msaken. He also had the most appearances for Stade Gabèsien, a team competing in the top-flight of Tunisian football.
Born in Tunisia, Zghal turned 42 the day before Amakhosi arrived in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. He has authored 32 research papers covering topics such as exercise science, the neuromuscular system, sports science, exercise performance, electromyography, and speed and strength in adult soccer players.
Due to Safi’s inability to travel with the team on their European tour, Zghal was engaged on a temporary basis by the club. He previously worked with Nabi in Libya at the start of his career and is a highly sought-after expert. This was at Al Ahly SC in Libya circa 2013 as Zghal began his conditioning career.
His role with the club will conclude once the Netherlands tour ends on Saturday, after which Safi will take over when Amakhosi returns to Johannesburg.
When they arrive in Johannesburg on Saturday, PSL side Chiefs will shift their attention to the Toyota Cup, where they will face Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Kick-off time is 15h30.
RELATED STORY: Hans Vonk praises three Chiefs stars after European tour match