Kaizer Chiefs Confirm Ongoing Discussions with Coach Nasreddine Nabi in Official Statement
Kaizer Chiefs Confirm Ongoing Discussions with Coach Nasreddine Nabi in Official Statement, as the Soweto giants reveal the Tunisian mentor is currently not with the team amid internal talks, emphasising their focus on maintaining stability for players and supporters following a mixed start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
This announcement from Kaizer Chiefs has sparked widespread speculation and concern among fans, coming just days after the team’s first defeat of the campaign, a 3-1 loss to Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 16 September 2025. In a statement released on Friday, 19 September 2025, the club confirmed: “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 matter is internal in nature and is being addressed through the appropriate processes. The Club remains focused on ensuring stability and continuity for the players and supporters during this period. As this is an internal matter, no further details will be shared at this stage. We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our supporters and the broader football community. Any updates will be communicated through official Club channels when appropriate.” The news has dominated social media and football forums, with Amakhosi faithful expressing a mix of disappointment and hope for a quick resolution, as the team prepares for upcoming fixtures including a CAF Champions League trip to Angola. As South Africa’s most popular club navigates this uncertainty, the statement underscores the challenges of managing high-stakes coaching relationships in the pressure cooker of the PSL, where Chiefs have not won a major trophy since 2015.
Nabi’s absence from the team was first noted when he did not travel with the squad for their CAF Champions League preliminary round match against Angolan side Petro de Luanda, scheduled for the weekend of 20-21 September 2025. Assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz is expected to take charge in his stead, as he did during Nabi’s earlier absence in August 2025 due to a family emergency involving his wife’s accident in Tunisia. The club’s emphasis on “stability and continuity” suggests efforts to minimise disruption, but the timing—amid a season where Chiefs started with five wins before the Sekhukhune setback—has raised questions about the nature of the discussions. Sources close to the club indicate the talks may revolve around contractual terms, performance expectations, or personal matters, but Chiefs have remained tight-lipped, labelling it an “internal matter.” Football analyst Sizwe Mbebe told SABC Sport that such statements often precede major announcements: “When clubs say ‘discussions are ongoing,’ it could mean anything from contract extensions to partings, but the fact Nabi is not with the team is concerning.”
Nabi, 58, joined Chiefs in June 2025 on a two-year contract with an option for a third, bringing a wealth of experience from his successful tenure at AS FAR Rabat in Morocco, where he won league titles and reached continental semi-finals. His appointment was hailed as a fresh start for the club, tasked with ending a decade-long trophy drought. Early results were promising: Chiefs won their first five league games, including a 2-0 derby victory over Orlando Pirates, and boasted the league’s best defence with five clean sheets. However, the 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune on Tuesday exposed cracks, with Bradley Grobler’s brace and Thabang Monare’s strike ending the unbeaten run and conceding Chiefs’ first goals of the season. Nabi criticised defensive lapses post-match: “We made changes that didn’t work out, and we paid for it. It’s a learning curve, but we bounce back.” Despite the loss, Chiefs sit third with 13 points from six games, behind Sekhukhune (16) and Mamelodi Sundowns (14).
The statement’s release coincides with Chiefs’ preparations for the CAF Champions League, where they face Petro de Luanda in the second preliminary round. The first leg is away in Angola this weekend, with the return at FNB Stadium on 27 September. Nabi’s absence raises concerns about team morale, especially after his delayed start to the season due to the family emergency. In August, Chiefs granted him leave after his wife’s accident, with Da Cruz overseeing pre-season wins over Young Africans in the Toyota Cup. Nabi returned in early September, but rumors of dissatisfaction have swirled, including reports of him missing training sessions.
Fan reactions on social media have been intense. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) range from support for Nabi to calls for his sacking. @IbhudaYabo60880 tweeted: “News reaching me is that Nabi will stay on as Kaizer Chiefs coach,” amid speculation of player decisions. Others, like @IamMastarmind, shared the statement with surprise emojis. Chiefs’ official post garnered over 2,500 likes and hundreds of comments, with fans expressing confusion: “What’s going on at Naturena?” The club’s Instagram statement received similar engagement, reflecting the passionate Amakhosi fanbase.
Media outlets have speculated on the discussions’ nature. Soccer Laduma reported: “Chiefs Break Silence On Nabi,” noting the club’s coy stance. TimesLIVE highlighted “ongoing discussions” amid exit rumors. EWN noted Nabi missing the Angola trip, linking it to speculation of his axing. IOL Sport quoted the statement, describing Chiefs as “coy about Nasreddine Nabi’s future.” These reports suggest the talks could involve contract issues or performance reviews, but no confirmation has emerged.
Nabi’s record so far: 5 wins, 1 loss in the league, with 12 goals scored and 5 conceded. Key signings like Gaston Sirino and Inacio Miguel have bolstered the squad, but defensive frailties remain. The Angola match is crucial for advancing to the group stage, where lucrative prize money awaits.
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