Nabi Dismisses Claims Of Local Knowledge Deficit
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has refuted suggestions that the club’s struggles are due to the absence of South African representation within his technical team.
Nabi asserted that upon joining the club, he conducted a thorough analysis of the team and the league and that wearing the Kaizer Chiefs jersey inherently makes one a “Khosi”, effectively integrating them into the South African football context.
The Tunisian coach, appointed during the off-season, assembled his own technical staff, excluding individuals with prior experience in the PSL.
This decision has been scrutinized, with some attributing Chiefs’ inconsistent form, including their 10th league defeat against Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, to this lack of local expertise.
In contrast, Mamelodi Sundowns retained Steve Komphela as assistant coach and Kennedy Mweene as goalkeeper coach after the departure of Manqoba Mngqithi in December, having been replaced by Miguel Cardoso.
Cardoso highlighted then that it was crucial Komphela remained behind because he knows the league better than he does.
Similarly, Orlando Pirates have Mandla Ncikazi as an assistant to Jose Riveiro.
These examples are often cited as contributing to the success of these clubs, as these coaches possess a deep understanding of the players’ mentality and the league’s dynamics.
However, Nabi maintains that this is not the case for Chiefs, who currently sit eighth in the Betway Premiership table with 29 points from 23 matches.
“I think, I repeat, the skills don’t have nationality,” Nabi stated.
“Do you understand? And before I came to South Africa, I analysed all the PSL clubs and football. If you give me a question for game number 28, I will give you the stats of) performance of the Kaizer Chiefs, and this is not a problem.
“If you wear this jersey, you are South African, you are a Khosi and the problem is not about nationality and all my staff, Mr Cedric Kaze here (assistant coach), we know that.
“If you are professional, you don’t need much time to analyse the PSL.”
The loss to Arrows marked Chiefs’ second consecutive defeat. They will seek to return to winning form when they host fourth-placed TS Galaxy at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday at 19:00.
Pic courtesy of Ayanda Shots
