Ex-Kaizer Chiefs Player Questions Nasreddine Nabi’s Style – ‘Culture Has Been Lost!’

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is facing criticism from former player Junior Khanye, who believes the Tunisian tactician is not the right fit for the club’s philosophy. Khanye has also questioned why midfielder Thabo Cele was overlooked for the Bafana Bafana squad despite his strong performances.

Nabi’s Approach Under Scrutiny

Nabi took over as Chiefs head coach at the start of the season, bringing in 10 new players in an attempt to rebuild the struggling club. Among those signings, Thabo Cele has been a standout performer, winning Man of the Match awards and solidifying his place in the starting XI.

Despite his impressive form, Cele was not included in Hugo Broos’ final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. This omission has raised questions, with Khanye suggesting that Nabi’s coaching philosophy might not be getting the best out of his squad.

Khanye’s Concerns About Chiefs’ Identity

Speaking to SNL24, Khanye expressed his doubts about the direction Nabi is taking at Chiefs.

“For me, [Cele] has fitted in like a glove, although I am concerned about the players around him. There is no doubt that the boy is a good player and was properly developed,” he said.

“But we have seen players join Chiefs before while on top of their game, only to struggle under the system. It depends on who is coaching these players. In my opinion, Chiefs get it wrong with the appointment of coaches because most of them fail to maximize the talent at their disposal. The culture of the team has been lost.”

Khanye further suggested that Nabi does not prioritize ball-playing midfielders, which could be why Cele is not thriving to his full potential.

Can Chiefs End Their Trophy Drought?

Despite the criticism, Chiefs have progressed to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, where they will face either Sekhukhune United or Mamelodi Sundowns. A triumph in the competition would end a decade-long trophy drought and silence some of Nabi’s critics.

With more strong performances, Cele and his teammates could also push for inclusion in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, questions remain over whether Nabi’s tactical setup is truly suited for Chiefs or if a change in approach is needed to restore the club’s glory days.