Kaizer Chiefs legend Arthur Zwane says he fully understands what coach Nasreddine Nabi is going through because he has been there before.  

Zwane says Nabi, who arrived during the off-season, is trying his best with the club, but he needs more time to build a solid team with these youngsters.  

“We must also commend the coach for giving these young players an opportunity and believing in them,” said Zwane. 

“I think the continuity is safe for the club because it’s a huge investment for the club as the market is always difficult for Chiefs and I feel sorry for coach Nabi.  

“I’ve been in that situation as a coach of Chiefs but when you look at Chiefs now they are going to be a team to beat in a few months. Coach Nabi just needs enough time, the team will be good and do very well.” 

Nabi has been relying on Chiefs academy graduates such as Wandile Duba, Mfundo Vilakazi, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Samkelo Zwane, who have been carrying the team since the beginning of the season. Shabalala and Duba have scored four goals each, while Vilakazi has scored at least two league goals and Zwane is yet to score his first goal for the club.  

Their lack of experience has led to some inconsistencies in getting the desired results and the Soweto Giants cannot be counted at the same level as Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates as the gap appears to be too big at the moment. 

“I think I should thank Kaizer Chiefs for the progress of these youngsters, and that’s the reason the team has the development structures even though some people did not believe what the club was trying to do in the last years,” Zwane said.  

“It’s only a matter of time before you see these young players doing very well. Since the beginning of this season, they’ve been caring for this team under these circumstances.  

“I think It’s always difficult for any player to come in this team and excel immediately because the pressure will be always there.  

“Probably now I think you should understand why these boys are caring about this team,” added Zwane, who took Chiefs to fifth place in the 2022/23 season before he was redeployed at the start of last season.