Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has made it crystal clear, settling for just the Nedbank Cup is not enough. Following a frustrating 0-0 draw that confirmed Amakhosi’s failure to finish in the Betway Premiership top eight, the outspoken tactician delivered a frank assessment of the club’s current trajectory.
“I’m not a small coach, I’m not happy for the Nedbank, I’m not a small coach, not in a small team, I’m in a big team,” Nabi declared defiantly, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“It should be normal for Chiefs to win and play for the Nedbank title, you understand me?”
Trophy in hand but questions remain
While Chiefs celebrated breaking their ten-year trophy drought with the Nedbank Cup victory, the reality remains grim. A nine-match winless streak and a ninth-place finish. Just one spot better than last season’s historic low, have exposed deep-rooted issues.
“We came here to build a team, it’s not possible to build and get results immediately at the same time,” Nabi explained at FNB Stadium.
“Remember after Nedbank I said I’m very happy but it’s still a process, I am honest like that.”
The Tunisian coach reiterated that building a competitive and coherent team takes time, yet progress is being made, particularly in terms of chance creation.
“If you observe and analyse with objectivity, we are number two in chances created. But why don’t we score? Like today was like the entire season, three or four opportunities, we hit the post. This is the problem of the team this season.”
Chiefs must aspire to more than just one trophy
Nabi remains unsatisfied with celebrating a single cup run, stating that a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature should compete for major honours every year.
“I want every season, Chiefs need to play for the title. This is my objective, I am honest, I don’t need to defend myself, I know my quality, I have big confidence.”
He challenged the narrative that the Nedbank Cup win alone marks success.
“We working for coherence, It’s not possible to say ah we won, we are very [happy], and if you lose it’s a process. If I win, if I lose, it’s still a process.”
Chiefs plan: Quality over quantity
Nabi hinted that key technical decisions and improvements in squad quality are needed if Chiefs are to rise again.
“It depends on quality, we need some quality for the team to stay in the top half. I don’t agree with Cedric. I don’t want to repeat all the time, ‘after 10 years we are happy about that.’”
With a clear vision, firm expectations, and no tolerance for mediocrity. Nabi has set the tone for what could be a transformative season ahead, if the club backs his ambition.
Will Nabi stay and win a league title at Kaizer Chiefs?
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