Kaizer Chiefs Find Themselves at the Center of Intense Speculation as Gavin Hunt Is Linked with a Return, While Itumeleng Khune Drops a Bombshell About Maart’s Controversial Penalty Decision

Kaizer Chiefs are no strangers to headlines, but the latest wave of controversy and speculation surrounding the club may just be one of their most chaotic in recent memory.

As reports circulate about the possible sacking of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, another familiar name has surfaced as a potential replacement—none other than Gavin Hunt.

Hunt, who previously managed the Soweto giants during a rocky spell between 2020 and 2021, is now rumored to be in line for a dramatic return.

The former Bidvest Wits tactician left Amakhosi under pressure and with little fanfare after a disappointing campaign, but his name is now once again being discussed in the corridors of Naturena.

Insiders say the club’s management has grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s inconsistency under Nabi, who has struggled to deliver the kind of results and performances expected at a club of Chiefs’ stature.

Though no official announcement has been made, rumors are intensifying that the Tunisian coach may soon be shown the door, with Hunt seen as a safer pair of hands who knows the South African football landscape intimately.

Hunt, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped about any links to Kaizer Chiefs.

Currently unattached, he has been spotted attending various PSL matches in recent weeks, further fueling the speculation.

Some believe the club could be preparing to offer him a short-term contract to stabilize the ship before making a long-term appointment ahead of the new season.

Adding more fuel to the fire, club legend and current player Itumeleng Khune has made headlines of his own after making an eye-raising statement about Yusuf Maart’s recent penalty miss.

Khune, who has been with Kaizer Chiefs for nearly two decades, shocked fans and pundits alike when he suggested that the missed penalty was not as accidental as it seemed.

In an Instagram Live session, Khune reportedly said, “In this game, not everything is what it looks like.

Sometimes decisions are made behind closed doors that players have to carry out.”

Although he did not directly accuse Maart of anything malicious, the implication was enough to set social media ablaze.

Fans have since debated whether Maart’s miss was due to poor form or if it hinted at deeper issues within the squad.

The incident occurred during a high-stakes fixture where a successful penalty could have changed the entire complexion of the match.

Instead, Maart’s miss proved costly as Kaizer Chiefs dropped vital points yet again, further denting their hopes of finishing in a respectable position this season.

In the days following Khune’s comment, multiple former players and analysts have weighed in.

Some believe Khune was merely venting his frustration, while others think he may have accidentally—or intentionally—revealed internal tensions within the team.

What’s undeniable is that the Chiefs’ dressing room appears to be far from harmonious.

Nabi, who has had to navigate injury problems, inconsistent form, and mounting pressure from the fans, now faces the additional challenge of uniting a squad that seems increasingly fragmented.

His post-match interviews have grown more tense, and his recent remarks hint at a man who feels the walls closing in.

“I know what I’m doing,” he told reporters after their last match.

“These things take time, but in football, people don’t always give you that time.”

Supporters, once hopeful about his North African tactical nous, are now divided.

Some still back the coach and blame the players for lacking hunger and discipline.

Others feel Nabi’s style does not suit the players at his disposal and that the club needs a change—sooner rather than later.

That change might just come in the form of Gavin Hunt.

Known for his pragmatic approach, strong personality, and deep knowledge of South African football, Hunt might be exactly what Kaizer Chiefs need at this crucial moment.

But reappointing a coach who previously failed to meet expectations could also backfire and reignite old criticisms about the club’s decision-making.

Compounding matters is the silence from Kaizer Chiefs management.

The club has not issued any official statement regarding Nabi’s future, Hunt’s potential return, or Khune’s controversial comments.

This vacuum of information has allowed speculation to spiral unchecked.

Some fans have taken to social media to demand clarity from the club’s leadership, accusing them of allowing the chaos to fester by staying quiet.

Others are calling for a complete overhaul of the technical staff and player roster, believing that only a clean slate can rescue the club from its current malaise.

Meanwhile, Itumeleng Khune’s role in the squad remains uncertain.

Once a guaranteed starter and a figure of unity, he has found himself increasingly on the fringes of the team.

Whether his recent comments were born out of frustration over his diminished role or a genuine attempt to lift the lid on internal issues remains unclear.

What is clear, however, is that Kaizer Chiefs are entering a critical juncture.

With the season winding down, every match, every decision, and every headline carries added weight.

The club’s reputation, fan support, and future direction are all on the line.

Whether Nabi can weather the storm or whether Gavin Hunt returns for a second stint will be closely watched.

And in the background, players like Khune will continue to shape the narrative—not just with their performances, but with their voices.

For now, all eyes remain on Naturena as one of South Africa’s most iconic football clubs grapples with uncertainty, division, and the ever-present weight of expectation.