Kaizer Chiefs’ second assistant coach, Cedric Kaze, has addressed ongoing talk of ‘betrayal’ amid the imminent departure of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, the man who brought him to Naturena.
Kaze, alongside fellow assistant Khalil Ben Youssef, has stepped up to lead the team in Nabi’s absence in the early stages of the 2025/26 season.
Nabi’s future at the club remains uncertain, with reports suggesting he may leave soon. When asked if his former mentor felt betrayed, Kaze emphasised his unwavering commitment to the club’s project and expressed confidence that Nabi supports the decision to advance the team’s progress.
He was speaking to the media ahead of the second leg of the first preliminary round match against Angola’s Kabuscorp SCP. The match is scheduled for FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday [15h00]. Chiefs lost 1-0 away in Luanda and must overturn the deficit to progress to the next round.
WHAT KAZE SAID ABOUT THE NABI SITUATION
“I’ve known coach Nabi for a couple of years, I have worked with him and as him and me, we know the situation of the coaching job. Today, he’s not here, and I’m pretty sure that he will be proud that we continue where he left off and we bring the club where it belongs,” Kaze said.
The Burundian-born coach emphasised the importance of professionalism and focusing on the task at hand, especially with a crucial clash.
“Every team goes through such moments, and we are professional, we are here to work for Kaizer Chiefs, and we know what is in front of us,” Kaze added.
“These things that have happened now are behind us; we are looking forward to tomorrow with every inch of our hearts, our concentration. To make the fans proud, to make the club proud, to make history for the club.”
Kaze and Ben Youssef previously guided Amakhosi to four straight wins in the Betway Premiership. This happened earlier in the season. Coach Nabi was on compassionate leave at the time. Now the assistants must secure a vital win on Saturday. They need this victory at FNB Stadium. It is crucial to put the club on track for the continental group stages.
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