Nasreddine Nabi Defends Kaizer Chiefs Amid Pre-Season Goal Drought Concerns

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has come out strongly in defence of his team after mounting criticism over their lacklustre pre-season goal return. The Soweto giants have managed just three goals in six matches, culminating in a goalless draw and eventual 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

With only one win recorded from six pre-season games, concerns are growing among fans and pundits alike about Chiefs’ attacking form ahead of the new season. However, Nabi has firmly pushed back against the narrative that these results are cause for alarm.

Speaking to the media following the Toyota Cup defeat, the Tunisian coach was visibly irritated by repeated questions surrounding Chiefs’ scoring issues and form. He made it clear that the primary focus of pre-season was preparation and not match results.

“We are in pre-season and the objectives of the pre-season are detailed and predetermined for everyone who knows our team,” Nabi stated. “In Holland, we played four matches against Eredivisie and first division teams, and one against a strong second division side. These were not about results — they were about building fitness, cohesion, and tactical understanding.”

The coach elaborated that the structure of the pre-season schedule, which included back-to-back matches and sessions with multiple daily trainings, was never designed to produce winning results but rather to condition the squad for the demanding season ahead.

“If I wanted to win at all costs, we wouldn’t schedule two training sessions before match days. That’s not how you prepare for victory; that’s how you build a team for the long term,” he said.

Nabi also took issue with the line of questioning from the press, accusing some journalists of intentionally trying to create pressure around the team’s performances. “Since when do we analyse and judge a team’s progress based on pre-season results? Everyone in the football world understands the true purpose of friendlies,” he added.

Despite Nabi’s confidence, concerns remain among supporters who are anxious about the team’s ability to bounce back after a disappointing 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign, where Chiefs scored just 25 goals in 28 matches and finished ninth on the log.

With the new season set to kick off in August, the pressure will be on the Glamour Boys to rediscover their scoring form. Nabi, however, remains calm and focused, reiterating that his methods are deliberate and that the real judgment will come once the season is underway.

For now, all eyes will be on how Kaizer Chiefs respond when the competitive action begins, with the hope that their attacking unit will begin to click when it matters most.