Kaizer Chiefs part ways with Coach Nabi. Image credit: iDiski Times shared via via X.
(The Post News)– Kaizer Chiefs and head coach Nasreddine Nabi have reportedly parted ways with immediate effect, in a shock development that has left Amakhosi supporters stunned. The decision is allegedly understood to be linked to CAF coaching qualification requirements, which would have prevented Nabi from sitting on the bench during interclub competition fixtures this season.
CAF regulations stipulate that only coaches with a CAF Pro License or its recognized equivalent are permitted to lead teams in continental competitions such as the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Nabi, despite his success in North Africa, reportedly does not hold the necessary paperwork recognized under these rules.
This created an immediate obstacle for Chiefs, who are aiming to re-establish themselves among Africa’s elite. With ambitions of a deep run in continental football, the club could not risk having a coach unable to formally direct the team from the touchline.
Nabi’s Impact on Chiefs
Nabi’s arrival at Naturena had generated excitement earlier this year. The Tunisian coach was lauded for his tactical acumen, particularly his impressive work with Young Africans SC in Tanzania, where he delivered back-to-back league titles and guided the club to the CAF Confederation Cup final.
Amakhosi fans had hoped that his appointment would signal the start of a new era, one built on discipline, structure, and continental know-how. Instead, his stay has ended abruptly, cutting short a project that many believed could finally restore the Chiefs to their former glory.
Kaizer Chiefs are expected to issue a formal statement imminently, outlining the reasons for the split and their plan moving forward. The immediate challenge will be finding a replacement capable of navigating both domestic and CAF competition requirements.
Possible interim solutions include promoting from within, with assistant coaches or development staff stepping in until a long-term successor is identified. However, the situation leaves the Chiefs vulnerable during a critical phase of the season.
This incident highlights a recurring issue in African football: the impact of CAF’s licensing framework on club appointments. While the rules are designed to raise coaching standards and align the continent with global benchmarks, they have also created hurdles for clubs that seek experienced tacticians from outside CAF’s immediate jurisdiction.
In recent years, several high-profile coaches have faced similar complications, forcing clubs to adjust technical roles, appoint assistants as stand-ins, and, in some cases, part ways altogether. The Chiefs’ decision underscores just how disruptive the licensing gap can be.
Fans and Supporters Not Pleased by Nabi’s Departure
Reaction to Nabi’s departure has been swift and emotional. Many Chiefs supporters acknowledged that the CAF eligibility issue left the club with little choice, particularly with interclub fixtures looming. However, they thought the sacking came after he was beaten by Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night at FNB Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs is now clouded by uncertainty. The club must not only stabilize the dressing room after Nabi’s abrupt exit but also secure a coach who satisfies CAF’s requirements while matching the club’s ambitions.
This setback will likely not diminish Nabi’s reputation across African football, where he remains a respected figure for his work in Tanzania and North Africa. Even though the situation highlights how administrative details can derail even the most promising coaching appointments.
This development will be remembered as one of the most abrupt and unusual managerial exits in Chiefs’ modern history, once the dust settles. Amakhosi fans wait anxiously for the club’s official statement and the announcement of a new direction for the 2025/26 campaign.
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