Kaizer Chiefs Coach Nasreddine Nabi to Miss Season Opener vs Stellenbosch Due to Family Emergency

• Kaizer Chiefs have released a statement that head coach Nasreddine Nabi will miss the season opener against Stellenbosch FC
• First assistant coach Cedric Kaze will take charge in Nabi’s absence for Sunday’s match at Athlone Stadium
• Chiefs face a tough challenge as they welcome new signings, but will be without suspended winger Pule Mmodi

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi will miss the club’s opening Betway Premiership match against Stellenbosch FC this Sunday due to a family emergency.

On Friday, the club announced that Nabi had traveled to his native Tunisia following a critical accident involving his wife. Chiefs announced that the coach left South Africa to be with his family and will return once the situation stabilises.

What did the club say about Nabi?

“A critical accident involving his wife has occurred at his home in Tunisia, prompting the coach to travel this evening to be with her and the family. Coach Nabi will return to South Africa once the situation has stabilised,” the club said in a statement.

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Kaizer Chiefs extended their best wishes to Nabi and his family during this difficult time and asked supporters to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.

Who will be in charge in Nabi's absence?

In Nabi’s absence, first assistant coach Cedric Kaze will take charge of the team for the match at Athlone Stadium. The venue was switched from DHL Stadium earlier this week due to logistical reasons. The fixture is sold out.

Chiefs will also be without winger Pule Mmodi, who is serving a suspension after picking up a red card in the final match of last season.

In addition, several new signings, including Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga, Flavio Silva, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Siphesihle Ndlovu, are expected to feature."

Chiefs will rely on their new signings to improve on last season’s disappointing league finish outside the top eight. Despite their struggles, Amakhosi ended the campaign on a high by winning the Nedbank Cup.

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Stellenbosch FC arrive at the game with confidence following a 3-2 victory over AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarter-finals last weekend. Although they lost captain Fawaaz Basadien, coach Steve Barker’s team will look to carry momentum into the league opener.

Kick-off at Athlone Stadium is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, sports journalist Uche Anuma offered his take on Kaizer Chiefs’ prospects in the Betway Premiership this season.

"Kaizer Chiefs are one of the top teams in the Premier Soccer League, but their chances of winning the league this season are slim as they are way behind the likes of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in terms of quality, if we are being honest," he said.

Kaizer Chiefs supporter wins a car

Briefly News previously reported that a loyal Kaizer Chiefs supporter won a brand-new car over the weekend following the match between Amakhosi and Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

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Vuyolwethu Vatsha, a 33-year-old from Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, was the proud winner of a Toyota Starlet, valued at approximately R300,000.

Source: Briefly News