OPINION: Is Nabi still the right man to lead Chiefs?

Nasreddine Nabi might have brought Kaizer Chiefs their first piece of silverware in a decade by lifting the Nedbank Cup, but I remain unconvinced that he is the right man to take this club forward.

The cup win has merely plastered over the cracks, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the Betway Premiership against Sekhukhune United is proof of that.

READ MORE: Chiefs and Sekhukhune both left frustrated by a point apiece

With one match left, Amakhosi are languishing in ninth place and on the brink of missing out on next season’s MTN8 competition. That is simply not good enough, even in a rebuilding phase.

Nabi needed to win the Nedbank Cup and finish in the top eight, and falling short of the two targets would constitute failure.

Under Nabi, Chiefs lack identity

What’s more troubling is the lack of identity in the team’s style of play. There are no signs of real progress in that regard. The quality of players at Nabi’s disposal is certainly better than their current log position suggests. 

Individually, the Soweto giants have good players, but there’s no team chemistry and a large part of it has to do with coaching.

It’s also concerning how often Nabi directs his anger towards the media. His constant rants feel more like an indirect plea for job security than legitimate criticism. Journalists are simply doing their jobs, and his misguided tirades won’t win him any favours. 

It’s also the second time where the 59-year-old basically pumps his chest in front of the media to say that he’s in demand elsewhere on the continent. He might not realise it but it’s not a good look for the club or his image. There’s no other way to put it, but it comes across as arrogant.

Eight wins from 27 matches, just 25 goals scored, and a negative goal difference of seven paints a bleak picture. 12 losses and seven draws don’t inspire confidence either, they scream mediocrity.

ALSO READ: Nabi lauds Chiefs debutante McCarthy

Yes, the Nedbank Cup offers a moment of celebration, but once that high fades, Chiefs fans must ask themselves: is this really the path back to glory?

For me, the answer is no because the club needs more than just a trophy. It needs a vision, identity, and a coach who can truly lead a revival.