Nasreddine Nabi provides update ahead of pending Kaizer Chiefs move

By Mazola Molefe
24th June 2024

Kaizer Chiefs fans will have to wait a little longer for the imminent arrival of their new incoming head coach, Nasreddine Nabi.

As reported by SABC Sport, the Tunisian mentor has already agreed to take over the reins at Naturena as the permanent replacement for Molefi Ntseki, who was sacked last year after just 114 days at the helm.

The Soweto giants then subsequently appointed head of youth Cavin Johnson on an interim basis until the end of the season, with the experienced coach leading them to an underwhelming 10th place finish in the DStv Premiership.

Nabi could have in fact arrived at Chiefs prior to the start of the 2023/24 campaign after opting not to renew his contract at Tanzanian outfit Young Africans, where he’d been able to win a league and cup double.

However, the two parties – despite agreeing personal financial terms in principle – could not reach a consensus on Nabi’s backroom staff, and the talks collapsed with Nabi accepting the job in Morocco instead.

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More than a year later, the 58-year-old coach is set to be appointed by The Glamour Boys as soon as he arrives from FAR Rabat, where he has been leading the club in the Botola Premier League – which is where the delay comes in.

Nabi wrapped up the season by missing out on the title to rivals Raja Casablanca on the final day, but on Sunday night led the runners-up to the final of the Throne Cup after beating MAS Fes 2-0 to set a meeting with Raja.

But the fact that there’s no official date for the cup final has complicated matters for both Chiefs and Nabi because the coach wants to see out his tenure in style.

“This is not my last match. The final match is still haunting us, and according to my friends in the Raja team, they know that the final match will be on the 30th of this month. Therefore, I am still continuing with my team to the final,” said the coach on Sunday night.

Amakhosi are moving ahead, however, with the rest of the technical team handpicked by Nabi trickling in one by one.

Fernando Da Cruz, set to be the assistant coach, was the first to arrive on Sunday morning, while goalkeeper coach IIyes Mzoughi followed later that evening.

Next up is former Raja and Wydad fitness trainer Majdi Safi and Chiefs hope Nabi makes his way sometime in July if the reported date for the Throne Cup is accurate.

“As for the issue of the players, there is no truth in the news that I will bring players from ASFAR to Kaizer Chiefs,” Nabi added.