Kaizer Chiefs in Financial Chaos? Nabi’s R7.8 Million Severance Demand Exposed — “When Coaching Pays More Than Winning!”

Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly caught in a tense standoff with their head coach Nazin Nabi, as financial disagreements over his severance package threaten to drag on his departure indefinitely.

Despite the club announcing over a week ago that talks were underway to part ways with the Tunisian tactician, no official confirmation has followed, leaving fans and insiders baffled.

Nabi, who has already missed the last three matches with assistants Khalil Ben Yusf and Cedric Gaz taking charge, remains in limbo.

According to SABC Sport, the delay in finalizing his exit stems from unresolved settlement negotiations between the coach and the club.

With Nabi still under contract for another year, including an option to renew, the financial terms of his departure have become a sticking point.

Journalist Maz Lamair revealed on Soccer Zone that Nabi’s monthly salary hovers around 783,000 rand, roughly 40,000 USD.

Reports suggest the coach could demand a severance payout as high as 7.8 million rand if the club terminates his contract prematurely.

While the exact details and clauses remain unclear, this figure alone has sent shockwaves through the Chiefs’ management and supporters alike.

The 58-year-old coach joined Kaizer Chiefs in July 2024 after a stint with Moroccan side ASR, where he earned 520,000 rand per month.

His tenure at Chiefs has been turbulent, with a rocky first season marked by just 12 wins in 33 matches.

However, he did manage to salvage some pride by winning the Netbank Cup and securing a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Ironically, Nabi started the 2025/26 season strongly, winning four of his first six league matches before rumors of his possible exit began circulating.

The reasons behind the looming departure remain shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation about internal disagreements or dissatisfaction with the club’s direction.

Fans are divided: should Kaizer Chiefs simply pay Nabi his demanded severance and move on, or is the club justified in fighting for a more reasonable settlement?

And considering his promising start to the season, did Nabi deserve more time to prove himself?

The debate rages on social media, with passionate voices on both sides.

While Chiefs wrestle with their coaching crisis, Bafana Bafana find themselves in hot water over a FIFA ruling that docked them three crucial points in the World Cup qualifiers.

The South African Football Players Union (SAFU) has come out swinging against the South African Football Association (SAFA), defending midfielder Deuena from blame after FIFA’s decision to penalize the team for fielding an ineligible player, Mugua, in a March 21 match against Lutu.

The ruling has thrown South Africa’s qualification hopes into turmoil.

Once comfortably leading their group with 17 points, Bafana Bafana now sit level with Benin on 14 points but behind on goal difference, with Nigeria and Rwanda closing in.

To qualify, South Africa must win their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda while outscoring Benin—a daunting task under the circumstances.

The sanction sparked widespread finger-pointing, with some blaming Deuena for participating while ineligible.

SAFU, however, vehemently rejected these accusations, labeling them scapegoating and placing responsibility squarely on SAFA’s shoulders.

In a strongly worded statement, SAFU said, “Hands off Deuena. The duty to track bookings, suspensions, and player eligibility belongs to the federation, not the player. To insinuate that Deuena should police his own disciplinary record is grossly irresponsible.”

The union directly accused Bafana Bafana’s team manager Vincent Seeka of negligence, stating, “Tracking suspensions is not a favor. It is a duty. For SAFA and the team manager to fail at something so fundamental exposes a department asleep at the wheel, unfit for purpose.”

SAFU has also demanded that the players receive their full bonuses for the Lut fixture, which Bafana originally won 2-0 on the pitch.

“The players delivered victory. Their contract with the nation was fulfilled. To deny them payment because administrators failed to punish the culprits while protecting others is unjust,” SAFU argued.

Furthermore, the players’ union has called on SAFA President Dani Yordan to take decisive action and ensure accountability.

The warning is clear: such administrative blunders threaten not only South Africa’s World Cup dream but also the credibility of football governance in the country.

The big question now is whether SAFA President Dani Yordan will finally act or allow this embarrassing episode to be swept under the rug, as has often been the case in South African football.

Fans and analysts alike are demanding answers.

Should Vincent Seeka and other officials face consequences?

Can Bafana Bafana still qualify for the World Cup after this setback?

The pressure is mounting.

This double drama—Kaizer Chiefs’ coaching impasse and Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification crisis—paints a troubling picture of South African football.

Financial disputes, poor management, and administrative incompetence are converging at a critical time, threatening to derail progress on multiple fronts.

Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa’s most storied clubs, stand at a crossroads.

Will they cave to Nabi’s steep demands and risk financial strain, or hold firm and risk prolonged instability on the sidelines?

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana’s players are caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic failures, fighting to keep their World Cup hopes alive amid chaos off the pitch.

For the fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

The beautiful game, which once united millions, is now mired in controversy and mistrust.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, hope persists.

Coaches, players, and supporters alike yearn for clarity, accountability, and a return to professionalism.

As the saga unfolds, one thing is certain: South African football’s future depends on the decisions made in these critical moments.

Whether it’s settling costly contracts or rectifying administrative blunders, the stakes have never been higher.