Kaizer Chiefs’ Motaung Uncertain on Coach Nabi’s Future at the Club

Kaizer Chiefs director of marketing and commercial affairs, Jessica Motaung, has remained tight-lipped about the future of head coach Nasreddine Nabi. This comes as the club continues its internal review following a mixed 2024/25 campaign.

Nasreddine Nabi Still in the Hot Seat—For Now

Nabi, who led Chiefs to their first silverware in a decade by lifting the 2025 Nedbank Cup, is currently overseeing the team’s return to pre-season duties. The squad has regrouped at Naturena for medical assessments ahead of a training tour in the Netherlands. However, despite his trophy success, there is no confirmed guarantee that he will remain in charge when the new season begins.

Speaking during the Toyota Cup launch this week, Motaung acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the head coach’s future.

“Nabi is here at the Village and will be heading with the team to the Netherlands,” she stated. “But we are still in the process of reviewing everything from last season. Nothing has been finalised.”

Mixed Bag for Kaizer Chiefs

Although Chiefs celebrated cup success, their domestic league form left much to be desired. Amakhosi slumped to 10th in the Betway Premiership standings—missing out on the MTN8 for a second straight season. They finished 9th the year before. The club’s struggles in the league have led to internal conversations about major strategic decisions going forward.

Motaung admitted the recent league placements were not acceptable for a club of Chiefs’ stature.

“Finishing ninth and then tenth is disappointing. That’s part of the hard conversations happening internally. The club’s ambition remains to rise and reclaim its place at the top of South African and continental football,” she explained.

Transfer Plans Under Wraps

Despite swirling rumours, Kaizer Chiefs have not officially unveiled any new signings for the upcoming season. However, sources close to the club suggest that several deals are already done. The likes of ex-Orlando Pirates duo Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako are believed to be among the new recruits already training at Naturena. Midfielder Ethan Chislett is also believed to be part of the new line-up.

Motaung declined to confirm these names but emphasised that the club is making significant investments to reshape the squad.

Slams ‘Money’ Claims

In recent days, Chiefs have come under criticism for allegedly lacking ambition in the transfer market—claims that Motaung fiercely rejected. The Glamour Boys lost out to rivals Orlando Pirates for the signature of Sipho Mbule. This has raised eyebrows among supporters.

Responding to these claims, Motaung dismissed them as baseless.

“To say we’re not spending is ridiculous,” she said. “Look at the resources we’ve committed to our technical staff and player signings. We are heavily invested in building a winning team. But the local market is tricky—you have to consider whether player valuations are fair.”

She added, “We are putting our money where our mouth is, and last season’s signings speak to that. We’re focused on building a competitive squad while ensuring smart business decisions.”

Eyes on the Future

As Chiefs prepare for the upcoming campaign, all eyes remain on the club’s next move—especially whether Nabi will lead the team when the new season kicks off. With the review process still ongoing, supporters are left waiting. They want to see if the club will back their cup-winning coach or make a bold change in pursuit of league glory.

The uncertainty may linger for now, but one thing is clear: Amakhosi are determined to break free from mediocrity and rise again.

Related article: “I’m Not Leaving!” – Nasreddine Nabi Shuts Down Chiefs Exit Rumours