Kaizer Chiefs’ Nasreddine Nabi says taking risks is key to progress

Nasreddine Nabi took charge of Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the current season, but after a strong start to their Betway Premiership campaign the long-term problems of the side resurfaced. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media

Nasreddine Nabi took charge of Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the current season, but after a strong start to their Betway Premiership campaign the long-term problems of the side resurfaced. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media

Published Jan 8, 2025

Share

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says he would not have his team play an attacking, attractive type of football if he feared for his job.

Nabi took charge of Chiefs at the beginning of the current season, but after a strong start to their Betway Premiership campaign the long-term problems of the side resurfaced.

Last season Chiefs ended the league way down in 10th position, and after 11 games in the new term AmaKhosi are not too much better off in seventh position.

Their 15-point total is exactly half that of the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns. Fellow Soweto Giants Orlando Pirates are 12 ahead of Chiefs in second place with 27 points.

Leaky defence

While Chiefs are well down in their mid-table position, they are actually third in terms of goals scored in the league with their 14 strikes. In fact, only Pirates and Sundowns have scored more.

In defence, however, Chiefs have conceded 14 which is tied for the second most.

“It's been six months and we feel that regarding our game model, the team has changed, especially in how we play. The inconsistency of the result doesn't help," Nabi told KickOff.

"But if I was afraid for my spot [job], if I wanted, I could play a mid-block, play defensive, look for counter-attacks with Ashley Du Preez, who is very fast, and getting the result like that.

"But is it the DNA of this big club? No, we want this big club to play attractive football, attractive football means a lot of risks too

"We have to build on that, we have to believe on that, we're gonna continue to improve every day.”

Chiefs take on Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.