Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi wore a menacing look during his Soweto derby post-match conference, deep in the bowels of FNB Stadium.
He spent the better part of the press conference leaning against his chair with his arms folded, while he gazed over the room like a hawk. But for all his unpleasant looks from the start to finish that didn’t stop the media hounds from drilling him about the torrid time he’s enduring at the club.
That feat summed up what Chiefs have been about this season – they’ve sounded dangerous in talks, but they’ve not put their money where their mouth is.
Chiefs have promised to rebuild while winning under Nabi. But the 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates have put their Betway Premiership campaign in jeopardy.
🎙️ ℂ𝕆𝔸ℂℍ’𝕊 ℝ𝔼𝔸ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 🎙️
🗣️ “𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢”
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi following their 2⃣➖1⃣ loss to Orlando Pirates!#SABCSportFootball #BetwayPrem #SowetoDerby pic.twitter.com/s7EcsXtYY7
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 3, 2025
Amakhosi run the risk of missing out on the Top 8, as they are ninth on the log with 30 points, level with the eighth-placed Chippa United who have a game in hand. Should Chiefs miss out on the Top 8 that’d be for the second season running, something that Nabi and his employers will surely not be proud about.
There’s still the Nedbank Cup which could salvage their season if they beat Pirates in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3.30pm).
Nabi, like the rest of everyone associated with Chiefs, know that losing the derby on Saturday made them lose some morale boosting ground ahead of the final. And so, the huge elephant in the room at the Calabash was whether Nabi had done enough to keep his job beyond the season despite what happens on Saturday.
The Tunisia born coach turned from red to purple when he addressed that question just before the end of his briefing.
“Normally, I wouldn’t answer this question but I am going to,” said Nabi. “My role as to why I am here at the club is the process and we can’t expect immediate results.”
Nabi was livid because he felt that he always has to repeat himself on what their target is this season, something he addressed that in his first ever briefing.
“In my first press conference, I talked in a room full of journalists that this is a transition season. If you are in a process, you don’t ask me why are you staying here (just) because the result is bad.”
⏪ 🅸🅲🆈🅼🅸 ⏪
Orlando Pirates secured a 2⃣➖1⃣ win over Kaizer Chiefs in the #BetwayPrem clash on Saturday!#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/cpnXbQ8ruM
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 4, 2025
Nabi might have felt that he was attacked for being asked about his future, but No. His last five predecessors were even fortunate enough to finish the season at the club.
So much so, that Chiefs showed their ruthless side as they sacked Gavin Hunt before the CAF Champions League final despite leading the team there.
Nabi, though, seems to know that has the backing of the management as he’s not worried about his future, and that’s why he’d rather focus on what the season is all about.
“Don’t provoke me because I am not a young coach, I have a lot of experience. I know about this provoking!” Nabi added.
“You have a bad result, and people ask why are you staying here? Talk to me tactically and (about) the process. I am not nervous!
“If you are a professional, you will know about the process. The evaluation of the process will come at the end of the season.
“I respect you, but don’t provoke me. I am not nervous. I am nervous because I lost, but I am not nervous because of the question (you have asked me).”
