Nabi Turns Down Tunisia Post

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has confirmed that he was approached by the Tunisian Football Association to become the national team’s head coach, but he declined the offer.

As this story was first reported by Sportswire a few weeks ago that Nabi was wanted by Tunisia FA to be their head coach, he expressed his gratitude to the Chiefs’ management for their trust in him.

Nabi made the confirmation after Chiefs’ 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch in a Betway Premiership match at Athlone Stadium on Friday. The win moved Chiefs to fourth place on the table with 25 points after 17 matches.

“I would like to say thank you to Dr. Kaizer Motaung, to Kaizer Jr., Bobby Motaung, and the entire management,” Nabi said, surprising many as this acknowledgment was unexpected.  

“I have been offered an opportunity to go coach my country and we have sat together and we have decided that I’m going to pass on this big opportunity to coach my country. 

“But I feel as well it’s honour to be here and I say thank to everyone from the management.” 

Chiefs management clearly trusts Nabi, as football manager Bobby Motaung publicly supported him on SuperSport TV after the game. Motaung emphasized that Nabi is building something special, that these processes take time, and that Chiefs are still in contention for the league title, despite Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates currently occupying the top two positions.

Following Nabi’s rejection, Tunisia has reportedly turned its attention to former national team player Sami Trabelsi to lead the Carthage Eagles.

Tunisia, who have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, finished bottom of Group E in the delayed 2023 AFCON tournament held in Ivory Coast last year. Mali topped the group, followed by South Africa. Tunisia has not won the AFCON since 2004