Former Chiefs player Patrick Mabedi backs coach Nasreddine Nabi amid Amakhosi's struggles

Former Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Patrick Mabedi has said there would be no point in AmaKhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi leaving the club at the end of the season.

Mabedi, who spent eight years with Chiefs from 1998 to 2006, which included winning the league title, explained that if Nabi left soon, it would be of no benefit to the Soweto Giants.

There has been speculation about Nabi’s future as Chiefs continue to struggle in the Betway Premiership, as their eighth place on the log suggests.

In fact, they are winless in the last five league outings and are now in danger of falling out of the top eight.

A season of highs and lows

"Yes, the results are not looking good at the moment. And it's true, any team is judged by its results, but from where I am standing, the team has improved under coach Nabi. Look at the chances they have been creating, though they can't convert," he said.

Chiefs, of course, upset Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in their Nedbank Cup semi-final just under two weeks ago. After that high, they were quickly brought down to earth with a goalless draw away to Chippa United over the weekend.

In fact, it’s Chippa who are just behind Chiefs in the log, one point adrift with two games in hand.

It means Chiefs could easily finish outside the top eight, and possibly even worse than their 10th place finish last term.

Still, Mabedi said there were promising signs for Chiefs under Nabi.

“If you change the coach now, things have to start all over again, which won't be good. That's why I am saying Chiefs should keep Nabi. There is no need to fire him.

"You know, as a coach, Nabi can only do so much. The rest is up to the players to do their job on the field of play.

"The coach does his work at training and in the dressing room, but in the field of play, it's up to the players, and I think they haven't been 100 percent perfect so far. They need to work on that and keep the coach.”

@Michael_Sherman