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Nasreddine Nabi - Nedbank Cup - GFX GOAL
Sthembiso Nkabinde

Did the Soweto Derby win in Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates save Nasreddine Nabi’s job as Kaizer Chiefs coach?

Nasreddine Nabi might have etched his name in the history books of Kaizer Chiefs, but will that be enough to save his job?

The Tunisian has received a baptism of fire in the Premier Soccer League, where his side has severely underperformed so far.

In what is Nabi’s first season, the Glamour Boys have mostly flattered to deceive in the league, and are currently sitting outside the top eight with two games to go.

The former Young Africans coach, however, has managed to end the club’s nearly decade-long trophy drought by winning the coveted Nedbank Cup.

The Glamour Boys delivered a spirited performance in the final to beat their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, 2-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

That result could well have bought Nabi more time at the club to continue his “process” as he looks to build a solid and competitive team for seasons to come.

But according to some reports, the Cup triumph might not be enough to save Nabi’s job, and here, GOAL shines the spotlight on the coach’s performance so far.

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  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer Chiefs, May 2025Backpage

    Nabi’s name in history books

    Before Saturday’s result, it was exactly 10 years and one day since Chiefs had last lifted a trophy, and that was when they won the PSL title under coach Stuart Baxter. 

    Despite his struggles in the league, Nabi will be remembered as the coach who was able to awaken a sleeping giant as he delivered the long-awaited trophy.

    The demanding Chiefs fans, who had been starved of silverware and turned into a laughing stock in front of their rivals, now have something to celebrate.

    Nabi has succeeded where a number of coaches have failed, including the likes of Steve Komphela, Ernst Meddendorp, Gavin Hunt, Arthur Zwane, Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson.

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  • Kaizer Chiefs, May 2025Backpage

    Has Nabi done enough? 

    Chiefs, despite ending their lengthy trophy drought, continue to struggle in the league and that has piled the pressure on Nabi and his coaching staff.

    Recent reports have suggested that the Chiefs' top brass could decide to part with the coach at the end of the season, especially if they finish outside the top eight.

    The Nedbank Cup triumph, though, should be a strong signal to the Chiefs bosses that they have a coach capable of restoring the club’s pride if given enough time and resources.

  • Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen, Fiacre Ntwari and Ilyes Mzoughi, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    A strong finish in PSL is needed 

    It’s safe to say that should Nabi’s side manage to sneak into the top eight by the end of the season, all could be forgiven.

    The fact that he’s also delivered silverware would make his case stronger, and Chiefs would be extremely harsh to part with a coach who has produced such results in his debut campaign.

    But should Amakhosi fail to crack the top eight, Nabi’s chances of retaining his job would be lower despite having ended the trophy drought, such is the pressure that comes with the Chiefs' hot seat.

  • Kaizer Chiefs, May 2025Backpage

    The ‘process’ is only beginning 

    The Tunisian was quick to remind everyone that the team is still in a ‘process’ despite ending their ten-year trophy drought.

    And in fairness, it was always going to be a tough task for any coach to turn things around at Chiefs, a club that sunk to the lowest of lows.

    “I’m honest, this is a process,” Nabi told the media after the Nedbank Cup final.

    “And I said, please help me to continue to build respect for the state of the process after it happened…I gave the team and went home. Please, this is a first and congratulations to the team."

  • Jessica Motaung, Kaizer Motaung Jr, Nasreddine Nabi and Bobby MotaungBackpage

    Major rebuild ahead 

    What has been clear this season, despite some bright spots, is that a major rebuild is needed ahead of the 2025-26 season, regardless of who is in charge at Chiefs.

    Amakhosi have a number of players who have proven not to be at the level required to play for a club of the calibre of the Soweto giants.

    Nabi, should he survive the chop, will be knocking on the door of his bosses, pleading for the resources to get his top targets and build a stronger team for next season.

    The addition of the likes of Thabo Cele, Glody Lilepo, Gaston Sirino, Inacio Miguel, Rushwin Dortley and Tashreeq Morris has already added some quality, but more of the same is needed. 

  • Nasreddine Nabi, Cedric Kaze, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

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