ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi seems set on helping the side improve in the long term despite a string of poor recent results. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Image: tumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Kaizer Chiefs fans are not known for their patience, and with the formerly mighty Amakhosi lagging 29 points behind Betway Premiership table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns, the coach of the Soweto Giants has come under fire.
Nasreddine Nabi took charge of Chiefs at the start of the new season, and despite a strong start his team now find themselves in eighth spot on the log.
Interim coach Cavin Johnson saw Chiefs to a 10th place finish on the log last term, and that saw any talk of him staying on extinguished.
For reference, Johnson was in charge for 22 matches - the same number that Nabi has now held his position.
“I’m not here for the money," Nabi told FARPost.
“People talk too much in the media. My salary, I don’t talk [about it] I promise you. Every three days I have a proposition in big clubs. Three times than [the] salary I receive here.”
The 59-year-old Nabi led Young Africans to their league title in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons, but he has found rejuvenating the sleeping Soweto Giants a much more challenging task.
“I have a mission here with Kaizer Chiefs and I have big respect for the mission. I’m not here for the money, and I love this club and I’m strong, and I don’t lose my confidence quickly because I’m strong.”
Two weeks ago, Chiefs suffered their biggest defeat under Nabi with their 4-1 league loss to SuperSport United.
Despite the unflattering scoreline, Nabi pled patience.
“It hurts, it's very painful but as I mentioned when the physique is not well you can see we gifted them the first three goals it was just giveaways.
“It happens, it happens to big teams. We must not judge the team only in today's performance.”
It certainly seems then that Nabi intends staying put at the helm of the Chiefs ship, it just may not be up to him.