Nabi: Fans Can’t Expect Trophies After Finishing 10th
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has tempered expectations for immediate trophy success, stating that it’s unrealistic to expect a team that finished 10th last season to win cups or the league.
While Nabi acknowledges the club’s passionate fanbase and desire for trophies, he emphasized the importance of building a sustainable team capable of competing for titles over a long period.
The new coach, who was appointed following a disappointing season, has been backed by the club with several new signings, including Njabulo Blom, Bradley Cross, Gaston Sirino, Fiacre Ntwari, Rushwin Dortley, Bongani Sam and Ignacio Miguel.
When asked about how he plans to handle the pressure of coaching a club like Chiefs, Nabi stressed the need for honesty and realism: “It’s normal,” said Nabi during the launch of the Betway Premiership on Tuesday.
“Because it is a big club and big history. The fans are hungry for success, but I want to speak honestly with the fans – for myself, it is necessary to build first a strong team.
“If you build a strong team, you can’t talk about winning cups. It’s not possible to finish 10th and you want to talk now for the cups and winning the league, it is not like that.
“I don’t want to speak what the fans love to speak, I want to be realistic because I respect the club, I respect the fans. I need to build a strong team, but step by step.
“We starting this building, I don’t need negative energy, I want passion and space and comprehension.
“Because football is like that. If you respect Kaizer Chiefs, if you respect Kaizer Chiefs fans, you will talk honestly with Chiefs.
Nabi expressed his commitment to working hard and giving his all for the club, stating,“But we will work hard with big energy, with the challenge. I know this challenge; I love my club. I and my staff will give 200 percent because I know which direction I have to take.
“I’m not afraid for the pressure, I live under pressure, but I know the challenge.”
Kaizer Chiefs will kick off their 2024/25 season against Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium on 14 September.
