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Nasreddine Nabi right for Chiefs 16-9GOAL
Dingizwe Gwala

Under the radar: Is Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi the right person to lead Amakhosi as they look to level up to Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns

With every passing game, the pressure weighs more heavily on Chiefs' Tunisian coach. GOAL dives deeper into his tough challenge at Naturena.

In short, Kaizer Chiefs’ season under head coach Nasreddine Nabi has been nothing short of underwhelming. Sitting ninth in the league, Amakhosi have failed to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents, with a series of lackluster performances leaving fans questioning the future.

Nabi was entrusted with the task of reviving the club’s former glory, but so far, that ambition seems to be slipping further away. The road ahead is filled with challenges, many of which seem to be mounting as the weeks go by, and having blood-hungry, hard to please Amakhosi fans on his back does not aid the situation. One of the most pressing issues is the team's discipline - or, more accurately, the lack of it.

GOAL takes a closer look at the hurdles Nabi must overcome, the tough decisions he will need to make, and the checks and balances required to steer the team back to prominence in the battle for supremacy with rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

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  • Inacio Miguel, Kaizer Chiefs, October 2024Inacio Miguel/Instagram

    Player discipline

    Inácio Miguel arrived at Chiefs with high expectations, and his debut against Marumo Gallants impressed fans, who were eager to see more from him. A solid defender, Miguel is strong in the air and capable of standing his ground. However, his discipline has been a major concern. He has accumulated seven yellow cards in as many games for Chiefs. As a player who occasionally wears the captain's armband, he must lead by example and avoid rash tackles that could cost the team. Nabi, who has come to the defence of Miguel, might want to put punishable measures in place for players who go off the rail much like Mamelodi Sundowns fined their players for getting red cards back in the Pitso Mosimane era.

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  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Referee criticism

    The PSL takes a strict stance on coaches and players who excessively criticize match officials, as it tarnishes the league's reputation. Nabi, an experienced coach familiar with the African referees' culture and officiating standards, needs to temper his criticism and focus on improving his team's performance. Mistakes from referees are inevitable, especially in the absence of VAR, which makes officiating prone to human errors. Nabi and his team must learn to accept these flaws and focus on what they can control.

  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Tactical choices

    Nabi has experimented with various combinations across all positions - defense, midfield, attack, and even rotating the three senior goalkeepers. However, constant changes disrupt the team's rhythm, as players need time to adapt to the coach's tactics. Nabi must settle on a consistent starting line-up and develop tactics around those players. Frequent changes will only leave his team struggling to find cohesion for the remainder of the season. However, Nabi has been backed by an ex-Sundowns start, pleading patience on his part.

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  • Gaston Sirino, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Over-reliance on Sirino

    Gaston Sirino has been the marquee signing for Chiefs this season, establishing himself as the key playmaker. While Nabi understands Sirino’s importance, reports suggest the player sometimes avoids putting in his best effort during training and possibly faking injuries. Known for his temperamental nature, Sirino requires careful management from the technical staff. Keeping him motivated and happy is crucial for his performance, but Nabi must also nurture other players to reduce the team's over-reliance on Sirino.

  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Is Nabi the right man?

    While the fingers will always be pointed at management - the answer depends on perspective. If you believe in exercising patience, Nabi could be the right man for Chiefs, provided that time is given to rebuild the team with the aim of challenging for top honors next season. On the other hand, some may argue that Nabi is not the right fit for the club. His lack of charisma and inability to inspire confidence have been evident in subpar results, which are not fitting for a big team like Chiefs. Although mathematically still in the race for the PSL title, Chiefs' chances are slim. To salvage the season, winning the Nedbank Cup is essential. Failure to do so could result in Nabi’s departure.

  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer Chiefs, December 2024BackPagePix

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