Former Kaizer Chiefs captain believes Nasreddine Nabi should be 'given four seasons to lay foundation' but criticised Amakhosi coach for verbally bashing players - 'It just felt like he was throwing them under the bus'

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tefu Mashamaite has criticised Nasreddine Nabi for openly condemning players, yet emphasised that the Amakhosi coach ought to be allowed time to restructure the team.

Since the 59-year-old coach came to the Naturena-based club six months ago, he has been vocal about his players, even stating that some of them do not possess quality.

While Mashamaite believes Nabi has the potential to succeed at Chiefs, he has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the outspoken coach spoke about the Amakhosi players.

"I think it has to be a long-term project and by long-term, I mean, like, two to three to four seasons that he has to be given in order to lay a foundation and just to put into place the system that he wants to implement because it’s been a while that things haven’t been going well for the team," Mashamaite told iDiski Times.

"So, you can’t just expect him to come in and start winning trophies and doing miraculous things. But one thing that I didn’t like about him was the fact that him going out into the public and saying that ‘I don’t have quality’, when he had all the time in the beginning of the season to assess the situation and see the kind of squad that he’s working with.

“It just sounded like now I’m making excuses because things are not going my way. So, leadership comes with those kinds of things, like things are not going your way, you have to stick it out. And stick out for your players but it just felt like he was throwing them under the bus."

Chiefs have acquired ten new players since Nabi took over, with the latest additions being Glody Lilepo, Tashreeq Morris, and Thabo Cele, who joined during the most recent transfer window.

Amakhosi still maintain a possibility of securing a trophy this season, having advanced to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after ruthlessly defeating Free Agents.

Chiefs players will aim to demonstrate to Nabi that they deserve to wear the gold and black Amakhosi jersey in the remaining five months of the season.

The players' dedication will commence this coming Saturday when the Glamour Boys compete against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium in the Soweto Derby.