Nasreddine Nabi’s Challenge at Kaizer Chiefs: A Mountain of Pressure and Results to Prove

If Nasreddine Nabi’s reign at Kaizer Chiefs is to be judged by results, it’s clear that the former Tunisia coach still has a mountain to climb. Sunday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Polokwane City marked game number 10 of the season under Nabi, leaving Amakhosi fans with more questions than answers about the team’s future.

This latest setback has seen Chiefs drop into the bottom half of the standings, a position that is a constant source of anxiety for a club that is expected to be challenging for top honors in the South African top flight year in and year out. The reality of the situation is that Chiefs are already 10 points behind their fiercest rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who have both accumulated 21 points from eight games in the Betway Premiership.

With such a deficit early on in the season, it raises the troubling possibility that Chiefs could be heading toward another trophyless campaign—a fate they’ve become all too familiar with since their last silverware triumph in May 2015. Despite the initial optimism that surrounded Nabi’s appointment and the subsequent signings made during the pre-season, the numbers on the results board paint a grim picture. After 10 matches, Amakhosi have managed only four wins, two draws, and four defeats, a far cry from the expectations that come with such a high-profile club.

The four victories under Nabi came against teams such as Marumo Gallants, AmaZulu FC, SuperSport United, and Richards Bay FC—none of which are considered to be among the league’s heavyweights. More concerning is the fact that Chiefs have conceded 16 goals while scoring an equal number of 16 in those 10 games, leaving their goal difference at a neutral zero. This level of inconsistency is a stark contrast to the club’s reputation for dominance and is a far cry from the performances expected of a team like Kaizer Chiefs.

When compared to last season under Molefi Ntseki, who was dismissed after just one win in his opening three matches, the situation doesn’t appear much different. After 10 games in all competitions, Chiefs had secured three wins, drawn three, and lost four under Ntseki, who replaced Arthur Zwane during the pre-season. The victories were earned against Cape Town City, AmaZulu, and Stellenbosch FC, but the team scored just 10 goals while conceding eight—slightly better defensively but not much to boast about in terms of attacking output.

The critical difference between Nabi and Ntseki, of course, is the level of expectation. Ntseki had never previously managed a top-flight club before taking over at Chiefs, and his appointment was met with skepticism from the start. Nabi, on the other hand, arrived with a wealth of experience at the international level, having coached the Tunisian national team. However, his credentials have yet to translate into tangible success at club level, and the pressure is mounting with each passing match.

The defeat to Polokwane City only adds to the growing concerns about the direction Nabi is taking Kaizer Chiefs. For all the hype surrounding his arrival and the investment made in new signings, the club has failed to take significant strides forward. With only four wins to show from the first 10 games, the question on every fan’s lips is whether Nabi can truly turn things around or if Chiefs will face another season of underperformance.

The club’s inability to challenge for the title in recent years has placed increasing pressure on management to deliver results. For a club of Chiefs’ stature, anything less than a top-three finish and a serious challenge for silverware is seen as a failure. As things stand, Nabi faces a tough road ahead if he is to turn around the fortunes of a club that has long been accustomed to winning.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Chiefs’ performances and results. Will they find their rhythm and claw their way back into title contention, or will this be another campaign that slips by without a meaningful trophy? Nabi has been handed the reigns, but now it’s time for him to show that he can bring about the results that Amakhosi fans are crying out for.