Kaizer Chiefs and Nasreddine Nabi Part Ways: Key Reasons Behind Coach’s Exit
- Kaizer Chiefs and head coach Nasreddine Nabi are on the brink of separation after a turbulent week that cast doubt over his position at the club
- The Soweto giants travelled to Angola without their coach, whose absence raised fresh questions about his future and sparked talks of an early exit
- Chiefs are preparing for a crucial CAF Confederation Cup clash while Nabi’s role hangs in the balance, with his assistants set to step in on the sidelines
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Kaizer Chiefs and head coach Nasreddine Nabi have reportedly gone their separate ways, following the team's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.
The Tunisian mentor, who recently returned from Tunisia after attending to a family emergency, guided the Glamour Boys to their first trophy in a decade when they defeated Orlando Pirates in last season’s Nedbank Cup final.
Chiefs began the new Betway Premiership campaign with three consecutive victories, all achieved in Nabi’s absence while he remained on compassionate leave.
Source: Instagram
Chiefs departed for Angola on Thursday without Nabi, whose future at the club came under heavy scrutiny this week.
The coach was weighing up an early termination of his contract after a dramatic fallout over the validity of his UEFA Pro Licence.
The issue surfaced ahead of Amakhosi’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Kabuscorp.
Insiders revealed that CAF issued a directive in December 2024 requiring all clubs to ensure their coaches held valid licences for continental fixtures. Nabi’s certification reportedly expired in 2023, ruling him ineligible to sit on the bench for Saturday’s tie.
“CAF has been strict this season. Clubs were warned months ago, and this time there was no room for leniency,” a source told Sowetan.
Chiefs asked Nabi to provide proof of a renewed licence, but he allegedly failed to do so.
As a result, Chiefs suspended him. In response, Nabi instructed his representatives to open talks over a mutual termination of his contract, which had been set to run until next year.
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Chiefs assess their options
Although the club has yet to issue an official statement, insiders indicated that the expired licence constituted a breach of contract. Nabi was informed he would not travel to Angola with the squad.
Adding to the pressure, Chiefs fell 3-1 at home to Sekhukhune United earlier this week. His absence at the start of the season, when the team performed well despite him being in Tunisia with his injured wife, reportedly gave the hierarchy confidence that the side could cope without him.
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It is believed any settlement could be worth between three and six months’ salary, depending on negotiations.
Source: Getty Images
Assistants to lead in CAF clash
With Nabi sidelined, assistants Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze will lead the team against Kabuscorp on Saturday, as well as in next week’s league encounter against Marumo Gallants. Chiefs are hopeful that Nabi’s departure will be finalised by then.
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Nabi, for his part, appeared to accept his fate, telling transfer outlets he wished to shift his focus away from football.
“At the moment, I need some rest and time with my family as I monitor my wife’s recovery,” he said.
Amakhosi board make demands from Nabi
Briefly News also reported that a Kaizer Chiefs board member demands high expectations from coach Nabi, stating there's no excuse for underperformance this season.
The former AS FAR Rabat head coach joined Amakhosi last summer and won the Nedbank Cup
Source: Briefly News
