Kaizer Chiefs: 3 Reasons Benni McCarthy and Pitso Mosimane Were Snubbed for Nasreddine Nabi’s Assistants

South African giants Kaizer Chiefs finally parted ways with coach Nasreddine Nabi on Friday, ending weeks of speculation.

‎Chiefs and Nabi announced in September that the two parties had agreed to sever ties but had not officially announced his departure, which was finally confirmed on Friday.

‎In his absence, Nabi's assistants Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have been taking charge, managing one win, three draws and two defeats.

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‎However, with many fans and observers hoping that Chiefs would give the job to a different name, with Harambee Stars boss Benni McCarthy and veteran Pitso Mosimane among those linked, the club opted for internal solutions.

‎Chiefs have opted to keep Ben Youssef and Kaze in charge until the end of the season, a surprising decision since they are Nabi's trusted men.

‎There are a number of reasons that might have informed this decision from the Glamour Boys.

‎Different reasons have been given as to why Nabi left Chiefs but it appears it is not down to results.

‎Nabi had signed a two-year contract, expiring in June 2026, and the club had an option to extend by another year.

‎It looks like Chiefs were happy with his work as he sought to restore the club to its former glory and with him gone, the club is seeking to continue what he was on by keeping those who were helping him to do it.

‎The other reason is that Chiefs perhaps feel like a new coach would come in and rip everything apart, sending them back to the drawing board, when they have just signed 11 new players.

‎That appears to be a route the powers that be at the Soweto giants are not keen to follow given it might require another squad overhaul and a change of direction.

‎Amakhosi have therefore opted to stay safe with the 'devil' they know instead of bringing in a new man who would have a fresh set of demands.

‎One key reason that cannot be underestimated is the cost of sacking a coach and his entire technical bench mid-season or before the end of their contracts.

‎Unlike other South African teams who have a local on the bench, if a foreigner is the head coach, it is different at Chiefs as Nabi demanded to come with his own men when he was hired in July 2024.

‎That means Chiefs had to pay him off and all his men if they decided to change the coaching team which would have been costly.

‎Nabi alone is thought to have commanded around R7.8 million (Ksh60 million) in compensation given his reported R783,000 (Ksh6 million) monthly pay and paying him off, plus his entire technical bench, would have been an expensive affair.

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