Former Kaizer Chiefs defender backs Nasreddine Nabi as Amakhosi look to end decade-long trophy drought after reaching Nedbank Cup final - 'It would be unfair to say he’s failed this season'

Kaizer Chiefs have reached the Nedbank Cup final following a big win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals last weekend.

The Soweto giants will meet arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final, which is expected to be a blockbuster encounter.

With Chiefs having struggled in the Premier Soccer League this season, former defender Derick Spencer feels coach Nasreddine Nabi should not be ruled out as a capable trainer.

“It’s been up and down, not the season we really wanted, but with all the changes we made with the new coach coming in, the new players, because half the team is new players who came in, so it’s not an overnight thing,” Spencer said as per iDiski Times.

“It’s not an overnight thing for players to gel, finding their combinations. I would say this season was a building phase for the coach in his first season. Hopefully, with the cup, it shows something is happening, we’re in a final now after how many years. 

“If we win this cup [Nedbank], I think it will be a good confidence booster going into next season, which we’re expecting Chiefs… the coach would have settled down and players as well," added the former centre-back.

“It’s been pressure [for Nabi]… the pressure it boils down to all these other years that Chiefs haven’t been doing well, so obviously when someone comes in, whoever comes in now, you will expect them to… from the word go, win, which is not possible.

“Half the team is new players, first time [Nabi] is coming to work in South Africa, the language barrier, it’s not been easy for him. It would be unfair for me to say he’s failed this season. There’s some good and some bad, there’s a lot of positives, we’re in a final now," he continued.

“For the first time [since 2019]… I would give him another season, because this season was to put the team together to build for next season. I think next season the pressure will be on him to win and compete for the league.”

Chiefs have not won a trophy since 2015, and Nabi is pushing to become the first coach to end their decade-long trophy drought.

Should Amakhosi win the Nedbank Cup, that could help make up for the difficult campaign they have endured in the PSL title race.

That would also restore Chiefs fans' confidence in Nabi after the Tunisian received criticism for his struggles with the Soweto giants.

Before meeting Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10, they also clash with their Soweto rivals in a league game seven days earlier.

For now, Amakhosi are preparing to visit Chippa United for Saturday's PSL match, trying to boost their chances of ending the term in the top three.