LEARNIGN CURVE Kaizer Chiefs' coach Nasreddine Nabi (pictured) navigates an evolving learning journey, as highlighted by former player George Lebese, with the promise of future success amidst current challenges in the Betway Premiership. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is learning as he goes, according to former star AmaKhosi player George Lebese.
Under Nabi, Chiefs are currently in eighth position on the Betway Premiership table. Last season the Soweto Giants finished in 10th place on the log, and this term it’s been difficult for the side to move up the table.
Chiefs, however, are widely regarded to be playing better football under Nabi. Their 29-point tally after 22 games sees them just six points behind third-placed Stellenbosch FC. Therefore, there’s every chance Chiefs could still make a significant move up the table before the season draws to a close.
Lebese, though, who won two league titles with Chiefs in 2012/2013 and 2014/2015, said Nabi still doesn’t know which players make up his best team yet.
“He (Nabi) is a little bit inconsistent. From where I sit, I don’t know his starting 11, and I think he is trying to see what type of players he has,” Lebese told Robert Marawa’s MSW on 947.
“He is a coach who is preparing for next season to see if he has good enough soldiers to take him through next season – for now, he is finding his feet in the club and in the club. I think it is a learning curve for him.
This echoes what Nabi has said in recent weeks, as he had pleaded patience from Chiefs supporters.
The retired 36-year-old Lebese believed there was merit in giving Nabi as much time as possible.
“You need time with Chiefs because if you look at the age group, it is a lot of young players; they need time and patience, but unfortunately, at Chiefs, you don’t have that. They have been starved of trophies for over 10 years.
“The coach who is responsible for the team has been given this season to suss out and see what’s happening. He is under pressure to win a trophy, and adding more quality to the squad will help a lot.”
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