Nasreddine Nabi: Kaizer Chiefs Wait on Decision After Surprise Change of Heart

Naturena must be a hive of activity and confusion as the future of Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi hangs in the balance. 

The Tunisian tactician, who was on the brink of leaving the Soweto giants due to family reasons, has now reportedly changed his mind and expressed a desire to remain in charge until the end of his contract.

According to insiders, Nabi, whose deal with Amakhosi runs until June next year, had initially asked the club to release him from his duties so he could be closer to his wife, who was involved in a car accident.

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 The unexpected twist has left Chiefs management scrambling to reassess their options.

“The Chiefs management was shocked to hear this because they had already drawn up a termination letter and were ready to issue a statement about his departure. They then asked Nabi’s representatives to give them some time to consider the new proposal,” said a source close to the situation as per The Citizen.

When Chiefs travelled to Angola to face Kabuscorp in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg just over a week ago, Nabi was absent from the squad. The club issued a carefully worded statement at the time, adding to speculation about his future.

“Kaizer Chiefs confirms that head coach Nasreddine Nabi is currently not with the team as discussions between the club and the coach remain ongoing,” the statement read. 

“The matter is internal in nature and is being addressed through the appropriate  processes. As this is an internal matter, no further details will be shared at this stage. We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our supporter and the broader football community. Any updates will be communicated through official club channels when appropriate.”

The sudden reversal by Nabi has put Amakhosi in an awkward position. Chiefs were reportedly ready to announce his departure before being informed that he wanted to stay on. The management must now decide whether to welcome him back or press ahead with their plans to part ways.

For now, assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have been leading the side in his absence. Under their guidance, Chiefs have managed a mixed bag of results – a win, a draw, and a loss – leaving fans uncertain about the club’s immediate direction.

Nabi’s absence had initially been attributed to personal matters, with reports confirming his wife’s unfortunate car accident. This appeared to have tipped the scales toward a mutual termination of his deal. However, the coach’s decision to reconsider suggests he may feel a sense of unfinished business with the club.

While Amakhosi supporters have shown patience during this turbulent period, the uncertainty surrounding their head coach has sparked debate. Should Chiefs retain a man who has already expressed doubts about continuing, or should they draw a line and start afresh?

What is clear is that Nabi’s U-turn has delayed any definitive resolution. With his contract set to expire in June 2025, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the Tunisian mentor will see out his tenure or bid farewell sooner than expected.

For now, Kaizer Chiefs find themselves caught between loyalty to a coach who wants to stay and the practicality of moving forward without him. The next move rests firmly in the hands of management at Naturena.