Nasreddine Nabi blaming media for raising expectations around Kaizer Chiefs

Speaking during the Carling Knockout press conference at the PSL head offices today, ahead of their quarterfinal showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns this coming weekend, Nabi says there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Chiefs have not won silverware in nine years, and Nabi says this will not be solved immediately.

"The mission that we are fulfilling has many steps and there are some media that are trying to portray Kaizer Chiefs as a contender for a trophy or for a league immediately which is not the case but we have to play and get the results," Nabi said.

Nabi reiterated that he’s on a rebuilding mission and was clear that his current team still needs a lot of improvement before they can be seen as serious title contenders.

"In the meantime, there is something that has happened. The previous years, 10 years without a trophy, last season was probably the worst season in Kaizer Chiefs history, finishing 10^th,” the coach added.

“Which brings us to the objective of a long-term project is to become the Kaizer Chiefs that everyone wants to see. To be on top of the table, to challenge for any trophy. In the meantime, there are steps and we need to go very methodically with what we wanna do with Kaizer Chiefs.”

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There were a lot of expectations when Nabi arrived at Chiefs, also because of his track record at his previous clubs, Young Africans in Tanzania and ASFAR Rabat in Morocco. But he says these expectations must not put them on a collision course with the fans.

"Because we don't wanna create chaos or misunderstanding with our fans but we promise them that we are gonna do everything we can to reach their level as soon as possible, that's why we are calling some media that wants to influence people that Kaizer Chiefs is a contender for the league or immediately. That's not the case if we see where we are coming from or where we are going."