Kaizer Chiefs have officially ended their relationship with head coach Nasreddine Nabi, closing the chapter on what has been one of the club’s most talked-about coaching tenures in recent years.
After weeks of speculation, the Soweto giants confirmed on Friday that they had reached a mutual agreement with Nabi to part ways — just over a year after his high-profile arrival from North Africa. The move follows internal discussions where the Tunisian tactician was reportedly deemed unfit to lead the team through the remainder of the 2025/26 season and their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Interim Coaches Take Over
In a statement released from Naturena, Chiefs announced that assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze will take over as interim co-coaches until the end of the season. The duo had already stepped up for the club’s CAF fixture against Kabuscorp in Angola, signaling the beginning of a new era on the touchline.
“Their leadership will ensure continuity and stability as the Club prepares for upcoming fixtures domestically and on the continent,” the club said in its official release, thanking supporters for their patience and loyalty.
A Short But Memorable Chapter
Nabi’s departure comes just months after he guided Amakhosi to their first trophy in a decade — lifting the Nedbank Cup in May 2025. The victory had reignited hope among fans that Chiefs were finally rediscovering their former glory.
However, reports of behind-the-scenes tensions and differing visions for the team’s future began to surface not long after. The club’s inconsistent form at the start of the new campaign and mounting pressure to perform in continental competitions may have accelerated the decision to part ways.
What This Means For Chiefs
For many supporters, the split marks another period of transition for a club desperate to rebuild its dominance both locally and across Africa. With the CAF Confederation Cup on the horizon, the task now falls to Ben Youssef and Kaze to stabilise the squad and restore confidence.
While the Nabi era was brief, it delivered a long-awaited piece of silverware — something no Chiefs coach had managed in ten years. His exit, though unexpected, underscores the immense pressure that comes with managing one of South Africa’s biggest football institutions.
As one chapter closes at Naturena, fans will be watching closely to see whether Chiefs’ interim coaching duo can turn short-term stability into a lasting revival.
Source: SABC Sport
Image Source: Kick Off Magazine
