Former Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Rhulani Mokwena opens up on possibly replacing Nasreddine Nabi as Kaizer Chiefs head coach - 'Of course it is a great club'

South African coach Rhulani Mokwena has been linked to several top clubs after his unceremonious exit from Botola Pro League side Wydad Casablanca.

Initially, there were reports that Zamalek wanted him before Mokwena said he can't compete with his mentor, Pitso Mosimane, for the job.

The 38-year-old has recently shown interest in the vacant coaching position at Orlando Pirates.

Despite helping Kaizer Chiefs win the Nedbank Cup, coach Nasreddine Nabi has been under pressure from the fans to step down after failing to finish in the PSL top eight.

They felt he had enough resources to help the team qualify for the MTN8, but ended up in the ninth position with 32 points after just eight wins, as many draws, and 12 losses.

Mokwena was asked in a recent interview by Robert Marawa whether he could take over from Nabi if given a chance.

However, the tactician was cautious in his response.

“It can’t be about Kaizer Chiefs because they’ve got a coach; and I think coach Nabi has, I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, I’ve spent some time now, because I’ve missed South African football. And I’m using this time to catch up, so I’m watching a lot of South African games; I’ve finished the whole competition of the Nedbank Cup," he told MSW.

“I must say that I was really impressed with how Kaizer Chiefs went on to win the Nedbank Cup, beating Stellenbosch, beating Sundowns, beating Pirates, at a time when there was a lot of noise, a lot of doubts, a lot of pressure on the coach and his staff, and to do that is not very easy," Mokwena added.

“Of course it’s a great a club, it’s of course got the pressure of doing well also in the domestic league but I think that winning the Nedbank Cup and delivering the first title [in 10 years], and the way they did it, not only just winning it but the way they did it, beating other big teams, I think coach Nabi has earned credit.

“Sometimes, as coaches, we need that, we need credit sometimes. And I think he’s earned the credit to be given an opportunity to continue to resurrect Kaizer Chiefs," he concluded.

Nabi's main job next season will be to ensure Amakhosi deliver in the Premier Soccer League and other domestic competitions.

The technical team has a massive task to ensure Chiefs perform well in the Caf Confederation Cup as well.

It is safe to say that if the former AS FAR Rabat fails to deliver next season, the Soweto giants might opt to let him leave.