Kaizer Chiefs have released an official statement to address ongoing speculation regarding the future of the club’s head coach, Nasreddine Nabi. This comes after a series of bizarre events this week that have strained the relationship between the coach and the club’s management.
The drama began on Wednesday morning, following Chiefs’ 3-1 league defeat to Sekhukhune United, which ended their five-game unbeaten streak and five-game run of clean sheets in the league. Nabi was summoned to a meeting at Naturena, where he was issued a suspension letter. The suspension was set to take effect immediately, meaning he would not travel with the team for their CAF Confederation Cup match against Kabuscorp SCP in Angola on Saturday.
As reported by FARPost, the letter stated that the suspension was a prelude to an investigation into his coaching credentials. This move came despite his successful track record at clubs like Young Africans and AS FAR Rabat, where he guided both teams deep into CAF competitions.
However, the suspension was quickly withdrawn. It is understood that after Nabi provided official documentation of his qualifications, the club was unable to proceed with its decision. Nabi holds a UEFA Pro Licence, a globally recognised qualification that allows him to coach in top European leagues and CAF competitions. His license, obtained in 2017, remains valid until December 2026.
Despite the reversal, the incident has reportedly shattered any remaining trust between the coach and the Amakhosi hierarchy. With Nabi staying behind in South Africa and his two assistant coaches, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, taking charge in Angola, the relationship appears to be beyond repair.
KAIZER CHIEFS CONFIRM NABI DISCUSSIONS
In a statement on Friday, the Soweto giants club confirmed that Nabi is currently not with the team as they continue to work through internal discussions. Amakhosi emphasised that this is a private matter and that no further information will be released at this time.
“Kaizer Chiefs confirms that Head Coach Nasreddine Nabi is currently not with the team as discussions between the Club and the Coach remain ongoing. The matter is internal in nature and is being addressed through the appropriate processes,” said Amakhosi.
“The Club remains focused on ensuring stability and continuity for the players and supporters during this period.
“As this is an internal matter, no further details will be shared at this stage.
“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our supporters and the broader football community. Any updates will be communicated through official Club channels when appropriate.”
With trust between the parties seemingly broken, Nabi’s departure from Chiefs appears imminent. The two sides are now expected to discuss a mutual separation agreement before his exit is officially announced, as previously reported by this publication.
Despite winning the Nedbank Cup and ending the club’s decade-long trophy drought, Nabi’s first season at the wheel was challenging, as he struggled to secure a top-eight league finish. The recent events, including his brief suspension over a qualifications dispute, signal that the relationship with the club has reached a breaking point.
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