Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi wears his heart on his sleeve, and that’s why he’s oozing confidence that they’ll return the glory days to the club.
Nabi has had a promising start to life at Chiefs. He won the first two games in the Premiership, beating Marumo Gallants 2-1 and AmaZulu 3-1 (both away) respectively.
His team’s character is set to be tested tomorrow (3pm kick-off) when they host serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium.
Nabi knows that this is one of the biggest games in the local sporting calendar, given Sundowns’ dominance over the years.
But the Tunisian tactician is not fazed by the challenge. As he addressed the media at VodaWorld in Midrand yesterday, he cut an animated figure as he mostly cut off his English interpreter to reply in the language.
Nabi kept touching the Chiefs badge whenever he made a reference to why it’s important to return the club not only to the top of local football, but Africa as well.
The 59-year-old, after arriving late for the press conference after coming directly from the airport, was even in a hurry to leave for a therapy session with the team, which led to a public brawl with some club officials.
“The direction of my eyes is the direction of here (touching the badge), Kaizer Chiefs. It’s what is best for Kaizer Chiefs, not friendlies or emotions,” Nabi said.
“What is the best for Kaizer Chiefs? Kaizer Chiefs. The movements in the squad won’t stop. It will continue with every passing (transfer) window.”
Nabi lives and breathes Chiefs – so much so that he has been donning the Amakhosi cap since his arrival at the club.
And while his appointment endeared him to the Amakhosi faithful, Nabi believes it’s not about him.
“If they love Kaizer Chiefs, then it’s not particularly about Nabi,” he said.
The Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Press Conference at @Vodacom World in Midrand!
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 26, 2024
Tickets are still available: https://t.co/PwObUa8Nko#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/Fnn0OnQ6Ee
“I want to give respect to all the work that other coaches have done at Kaizer Chiefs. Sometimes the coach will have success and sometimes he won’t. This is football. I don’t prove anything to anyone. I am honest.
“Maybe the fans like my personality. I am honest and I have passion. Maybe they appreciate that. Or they’ve known me from before in Tanzania and Morocco.
“It is my dream to achieve the objectives of this club. If I achieve that, perhaps I will stop my career here at Kaizer Chiefs (and retire).”
Nabi has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Chiefs – the same length of his spell with Tanzanian giants Young Africans, where he won back-to-back doubles.
He didn’t win any silverware with Morocco side AS FAR last season, despite leading the side to second on the log and final of the Throne Cup, where they lost to Raja Casablanca.
Match Highlights #Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/iWal57sRiE
Without putting a time-frame to when he’ll complete the turnover at the Amakhosi, Nabi made a daring promise to Chiefs fans, as long as they continue to back him.
“If we win, we win – but if we don’t, no problem. This is life. The season is very (very long). But I am not negative. I have confidence in my players, I have seen them,” Nabi said.
“We want to play lovely football. It might not be now, but I think for a club like Kaizer Chiefs with a big DNA, it’s important to propose good football.
“I think if we do that, the fans will come back. I need the fans in good and bad moments. But I promise the fans, step by step, we’ll play very good football.
“We are at 20%. If we win, I am happy, but as the coach I am looking at other things. I am not happy with others, but we’ve progressed. We’ll come back. I am not sure when, but we will. Insha-Allah!”
Given the minimal time to prepare for Sundowns, who are gradually finding their Midas touch under a new technical team led by Manqoba Mngqithi, Nabi said that they might come unstuck tomorrow – though it won’t be for a lack of effort.
“The only thing that’s probably negative is that I didn’t have time to prepare (enough) for this game. This is my problem, honestly,” Nabi explained.
“It’s not possible to talk about Sundowns game just before the AmaZulu game. It’s not professional. So, we came here directly from the airport and we have one day to prepare.
“It’s not easy for my sake. But no worries. We’ll go 100% and give maximum effort. I have my own idea for the tactical approach of the game.”