Kaizer Chiefs striker Ranga Chivaviro has shed light on the changes within the team following the arrival of their new coach Nasreddine Nabi. 

As Chiefs gear up for their Betway Premiership opener against Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium on Saturday (15:00), Chivaviro is eager to turn the page on a difficult first season and start afresh under new leadership.

Chivaviro, who joined the club last season with high expectations after a stellar campaign at Gallants, struggled to replicate his form at Chiefs. 

However, he now sees the coaching change as an opportunity for both personal and team revival.

“Change is always good,” said Chivaviro. 

“The change that has now happened at Kaizer Chiefs has brought a lot of good morale. A lot of players have stepped up. For me, that’s the change that has been happening, and we want to take that change into the season and bring forth good results for the club.”

The striker contrasted his current experience with last season’s disappointing campaign, during which Chiefs endured a revolving door of coaches, including Molefe Ntseki and Cavin Johnson. 

Chivaviro highlighted the fresh approach that Nabi has brought to the team, particularly underscoring the gravity of playing for a club like Chiefs.

“Working with Coach Nabi is very different. Personally, I have learned a lot. What he emphasizes most is reminding us of who Kaizer Chiefs is and reminding us what it takes to be here. Being in this circle must mean that you are quality. He takes a lot of time to remind us, and obviously, he tells us what is expected as a Kaizer Chiefs player and what he expects from us as players,” explained Chivaviro.

Despite having never worked directly with Nabi before, the two crossed paths as rivals in the CAF Confederation in the 2022/23 season when Chivaviro scored in the first leg semi-final for Gallants, a history that Chivaviro says has helped establish their current working relationship.

“The first conversations we had, he reminded me of what I was doing, who I was, and who he wanted to see me as this season,” said the 31-year-old.

“We touched a little bit of this and that. He is more of someone who wants to understand what is going on with your life and all of that. It’s productive, and we are hoping that this season we will bring back that Ranga who was scoring goals regularly.”

After last season’s dismal 10th-place finish, the worst in Kaizer Chiefs’ history, the upcoming campaign is seen as pivotal in restoring the club’s former glory under Nabi’s guidance.