By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi will on Thursday be finalising a deal to terminate his contract with the club, which still has a year to run.
Nabi’s possible exit came a day after Chiefs were humbled 3-1 by Sekhukhune United to suffer their maiden league defeat of the season at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs is expected to confirm his exit on Thursday or Friday.
“We want to make it clear that parting ways with Coach Nabi has nothing to do with him not winning his last game,” Marketing Director Jessica Motaung explained. “This was a mutual decision between both parties, and it is important that our supporters understand that. Nabi made a valuable contribution during his time with us, and we respect the work he has done.”
Motaung also confirmed that Chiefs will not be rushing into appointing a new head coach. Instead, the club will continue with Nabi’s trusted assistants, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, who will now take charge of the team together.
“We have confidence in the technical team,” she said. “Khalil and Cedric have been working closely with the squad, and they will continue to guide the players going forward. Our focus remains on stability and achieving our goals this season.”
Chiefs are preparing for the trip to Angola for the CAF Confederation Cup clash, where they face Kabuscorp.
The 60-year-old joined Chiefs at the beginning of last season, and his arrival was expected to usher in a new era at Naturena.
Prior to his arrival, the club had failed to finish in the top half. The season started well for the Tunisian, but the club’s struggles continued and they subsequently finished outside of the top half for a second season running.
Under Nabi, the club did win the Nedbank Cup, ending a 10-year trophy drought when they defeated Orlando Pirates in Durban.