Kaizer Chiefs coach Nabi fires back at Pitso Mosimane.
Insisting he’s committed to rebuilding the club despite pressure, scepticism, and offers from other top teams.
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi fires back at Pitso Mosimane after criticism.
Nabi has hit back at critics, emphasizing that he remains a highly sought-after coach, with multiple offers from other top clubs. His defiant response comes in the wake of Chiefs’ 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership showdown at a packed Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday afternoon.
Lucas Ribeiro’s lone goal secured Sundowns’ third straight victory over Chiefs this season. However, Nabi appeared more frustrated by criticism from fellow coaches rather than the loss itself. Despite the unfavorable result, he expressed pride in his squad’s performance but took issue with what he labeled as “disrespectful” remarks from certain figures within South African football.
Nabi under pressure amid Chiefs’ inconsistent season.
Chiefs’ fluctuating form in Nabi’s debut season has put them under scrutiny. The Soweto giants currently sit eighth in the league table after 19 matches, registering seven wins, four draws, and eight losses.
Having missed out on the MTN8 due to a ninth-place finish last season and an early Carling Knockout Cup exit, Chiefs now pin their hopes on the Nedbank Cup, where they’ve reached the quarterfinals. However, their league campaign appears all but over, as they trail Sundowns by a massive 29 points, making a title challenge virtually impossible.
Mosimane joins the critics
Among those questioning Nabi’s credentials is former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, who recently stated that the Chiefs boss is “not really convincing” in his role.
Nabi, however, remains unfazed.
“The coach can be criticised; that’s how the job is,” Nabi admitted. “You lose four games, people have the right to criticise you.”
But he also believes that certain forces are deliberately trying to hinder Chiefs’ resurgence. He cautioned fans about the club’s ongoing rebuilding process, noting that constant resets over the last decade have disrupted progress.
“But the fans of Kaizer Chiefs need to be careful,” he warned. “This process has been ongoing for 10 years—moving forward, then back to zero. Some people don’t want this process to succeed. The easiest way to disrupt it is to criticise the coach, get him fired, and start over again. That cycle repeats every season.”
‘I’m not here for the money’: Nabi dismisses speculation.
Despite the mounting pressure, Nabi remains committed to Chiefs, revealing that he has turned down far more lucrative offers from other major clubs.
“I’m not here for the money,” he declared. “People talk too much in the media. My salary—I don’t talk about it. But every three days, I get an offer from big clubs, offering me three times what I earn here.”
The Tunisian tactician made it clear that his focus is on restoring Chiefs to their former glory.
“I have a mission here with Kaizer Chiefs, and I deeply respect it,” he stated. “I love this club. I’m strong, and I don’t lose confidence easily. I’m willing to sacrifice everything to bring Chiefs back to where they belong.”
However, Nabi admitted that criticism from fellow coaches stings the most.
“The criticism is part of the job,” he acknowledged. “But when it comes from your colleagues—coaches who have been in your position—that’s a lack of respect. That’s what impacts me the most. But I know what I’m doing, and I will get it right.”
As Chiefs continue their fight for a top-four finish and a shot at silverware in the Nedbank Cup, Nabi remains firm in his belief that the club is on the right path—if given time. Whether the critics ease off or not, one thing is certain: Nabi is not backing down.
