Kaizer Chiefs are bracing for a new chapter after the departure of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, a decision that has sparked widespread debate among fans and club legends alike. Nabi, who recently guided the Soweto giants to their first piece of silverware in over a decade, is set to leave Naturena despite visible progress in the team’s performances.
Veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has been vocal about his disappointment, stressing that the Tunisian tactician deserved more time to complete his project. According to Khune, Nabi had already begun transforming the squad into a competitive and well-organized unit, and parting ways so early feels like a step backwards.
Chiefs supporters had finally tasted glory earlier this year when Nabi delivered the Nedbank Cup, ending a painful 10-year drought and dethroning arch-rivals Orlando Pirates. For many, it was not just a trophy, but a symbolic return to relevance in South African football. Khune believes Nabi’s immediate impact proved his potential to achieve even more if afforded patience.
The goalkeeper acknowledged the realities of football as a business, where coaching stints are rarely long-term. However, he emphasized that Nabi’s early achievements and the momentum he created should have earned him extended trust from the club’s hierarchy.
Nabi’s absence in recent matches only fueled speculation about his future. Chiefs navigated a tense CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round against Kabuscorp SC, eventually advancing on penalties, while also managing a draw in the PSL against Marumo Gallants. Despite these results, the uncertainty surrounding the dugout overshadowed their progress.
For Khune, the departure feels premature, particularly as players like Dillion Solomons, Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, and Godly Lilepo were beginning to thrive under Nabi’s system. Chiefs’ recent resilience, highlighted by Brandon Petersen’s penalty heroics, showcased the foundations of a team slowly regaining its identity.
As Kaizer Chiefs prepare to move forward, Nabi will be remembered as the man who ended years of frustration by bringing silverware back to Naturena. For Khune, his legacy deserved more time to grow, and his exit leaves the lingering question of what could have been if the project had continued.
