Here’s what is happening on Nasreddine Nabi’s impending exit from Kaizer Chiefs and the confusion around his qualifications.
Following the disappointing 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership, the Tunisian coach was summoned to a meeting the next day.
At the meeting held on Wednesday, the former Young Africans and AS FAR Rabat coach was issued a suspension letter. The suspension was to take effect immediately, meaning the coach would not travel with the team for their CAF Confederation Cup match against Kabuscorp in Angola this Saturday.
The letter, which reportedly indicated that the suspension was a prelude to an investigation into his coaching credentials, further strained an already tense relationship between the coach and the club’s management.
However, the suspension was withdrawn just as quickly as it was issued. It is understood that upon receiving the official documentation of his qualifications, the club was unable to proceed with its decision to suspend him.
Nabi holds a UEFA Pro Licence, a globally recognised qualification that not only allows him to coach in top-tier European leagues but also to sit on the bench for CAF competitions. His license, initially obtained in 2017, expires in December 2026.
This is the same licence he used with Young Africans in Tanzania, guiding them to the CAF Confederation Cup final, and with AS FAR Rabat in the 2023 CAF Champions League during the 2023/24 season. The bizarre chain of events has reportedly shattered any remaining trust between Nabi and the Amakhosi hierarchy. It is now widely believed that the relationship is beyond fixing.
CHIEFS, NABI EXPECTED TO DISCUSS TERMS OF MUTUAL SEPARATION
The two parties are now expected to discuss the terms of a mutual separation before an announcement of his departure is made. Nabi had a difficult first season at Naturena, finding it hard to secure a top-eight finish. But the Tunisian mentor ended the club’s nearly decade-long trophy drought by leading them to a memorable Nedbank Cup victory.
This season, they started strongly, winning four of their first five matches and securing a hard-fought draw against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns before the loss to Sekhukhune United. While the defeat to Sekhukhune was a setback, few would have expected such a sudden and significant fallout.
The timing of the suspension and its subsequent withdrawal indicates that long-standing issues have now reached a boiling point.
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