Kaizer Chiefs Coach Nasreddine Nabi Optimistic About 2025/26 Season After Key Signings

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has expressed confidence that the 2025/26 season will be stronger thanks to the club’s recent transfer activity.

Chiefs have signed up to 10 new players this window and have made a positive start to the season. With three wins and a draw against reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Amakhosi currently sit second in the league standings.

Nabi highlighted the improvements in defence and attacking options. Speaking via Cedric Kaze, he said the new signings will strengthen both the present squad and future planning.

“The players we have brought, during the season we had a lot of work about our defensive structure, not only the defenders but the whole team to defend together, to play together,” Nabi said.

He noted that players like Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako provide specialised options, addressing gaps from last season. “Mako is a left-back and remember last season we said that we didn’t have a player who is a specialist in that position. Bradley Cross is a centre-back. TT (Thatayaone Ditlhokwe) was a centre-back. Edmilson Dove, a centre-back. But now we can say we have a player that is specialised in that position, and that is not forgetting about Reeve Frosler, who is a very good player that we have a chance to play.”

Nabi also emphasised the balance between immediate impact and future development. “The new players that we have brought in, it is for the moment and as well the future because there are young players that we have brought for us to not have to do big investments for the future. We believe that the team will be better this season.”

The coach explained his cautious approach with new strikers Flavio Silva and Etiosa Ighodaro. Silva, for example, had not played competitively since the Toyota Cup against Asante Kotoko. Nabi said: “To throw him out there after he has spent probably months without having a competitive game would have been not ideal. We are pretty sure in the future he will help.”

He stressed that the current squad is performing well despite integrating new players. “When I say that there are even other strikers coming, it doesn’t mean that those who played today played bad. For example, Wandile Duba, he made so many runs and pressed so hard and sometimes when you run too much, you lose a little bit of freshness when you get inside of the goal.”

Chiefs aim to build on their encouraging start and continue strengthening both the defence and attacking options as the season progresses. With the blend of experienced recruits and young talents, Nabi believes the team can maintain consistency and challenge for the top positions in the league.