Khalil Ben Youssef, Nasreddine Nabi Kaizer ChiefsDoes Nasreddine Nabi feel betrayed by Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef? Tunisian-Belgian coach excludes his former Kaizer Chiefs assistants as he says goodbye to Amakhosi
BackpageNabi-Chiefs standoff finally over
Kaizer Chiefs have finally concluded the process of releasing coach Nasreddine Nabi from his contract.
The Soweto giants officially announced that they have parted ways with the Tunisian-Belgian, who spent last season and the early stages of this term with them.
Khalil ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze will be in charge of Amakhosi for the rest of the season and Nabi has opened up on leaving Chiefs as his next destination is unknown.
BackpageNabi's moving tribute
“To my players: I could not say goodbye and hug you as I would have wished, but know that I am proud of you and grateful for all the efforts you made during my time at the club,” wrote Nabi on social media.
“To the young players: you are the jewels of this club. Believe in yourselves, work hard, and learn from every moment. I ask you to dream big regarding your personal careers and to have great ambitions equal to your talent.
“A very big thank you to the majority of the group who wrote messages and called me. Your words touched me immensely. You now have everything you need to achieve all the goals we set for ourselves, and I know you can do it.
“Thank you to the Chairman, Dr. Motaung, for giving me the opportunity to wear these colours and supporting me. It is indeed an institution that you have built, and I will remain proud for life to have worn the gold and black colors. I also thank the management.
“To the true supporters: thank you for your loyalty and your faith in this project. Your support was the most important one, you are the true strength of the club. I promised to you a very competitive team locally and continental, you are now very close from achieving it.
“Thank you to Safi Majdi and Elyes Mzoughi for your work, your drive, your passion, your loyalty, and your support. It was a pleasure to work with you.
“Thank you to the analysts Yusha, Mark, and Vaughan for all your efforts and respect you gave me. Thank you to the doctors, physiotherapists, kit managers, cooks, administrative staff, etc. You made our work easy on a daily basis.
“My thanks to the club legends — Dr. Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Coach Arthur Zwane — who welcomed me, treated me well, and always supported me, in the good as in the bad moments. I was honoured.
“I leave with intact pride of having worn these gold and black colours, of having ended the drought, and of having been part of the greatest club in South Africa. Shapa Khosi Shapaa.”
BackpageFractures between Nabi and Kaze-Ben Youssef?
While Nabi included many people in his tribute, he snubbed the men who were his trusted lieutenants at Naturena.
Cedric Kaze and Khalil ben Youssef were always by Nabi's side during his time at Chiefs.
But not mentioning them in his goodbye message while naming strength and conditioning coach Safi Majdi and goalkeepers' coach Elyes Mzoughi could spark speculation about the assistants' relationship with Nabi during his final days of Nabi at Amakhosi, especially since his departure is shrouded in controversy.
BackpageWhat comes next?
That Chiefs are now certain of the men to be in charge of them for the rest of the season is expected to bring some form of stability at Naturena.
Players appeared unsettled in the last month, but now they can be under pressure to perform better as matters have been cleared up.
