Kaizer Chiefs Legend Itumeleng Khune Makes Feelings Clear on Nasreddine Nabi Exit

One of the most waited announcements at Naturena has finally been all but confirmed, with head coach Nasreddine Nabi set to part ways with Kaizer Chiefs. 

While the club is yet to issue an official statement, both the Tunisian tactician and several senior figures around the team have made it clear his reign with the Glamour Boys is over.

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Nabi, who guided Chiefs to their first piece of silverware in over a decade, was absent from the dugout for the club’s recent matches, fueling speculation about his departure. 

The Tunisian gaffer’s exit, however, has not gone down well with club legend and veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who believes the coach should have been given more time.

“Yeah, it's unfortunate what is happening at Kaizer Chiefs. Remember, for the past 10 years, Kaizer Chiefs hasn't won silverware, and the coach now came and broke that curse," Khune said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

The long-serving goalkeeper highlighted how Nabi’s impact was already visible in the squad and that his project was still in its early stages.

“So, I wish they could have given him more time because you can see he was building a well-oiled machine, so it's just unfortunate that things didn't go well for him,” he added.

Khune further admitted that although football is a business and coaches rarely stay forever, Nabi’s immediate contribution was undeniable. 

“Hence, the club had to come to the conclusion to part ways with him. It's just an unfortunate situation. I would have loved to see him continuing with the club, but again, Kaizer Chiefs are in business,” he noted.

Nabi’s tenure will be remembered for delivering the Nedbank Cup earlier this year, a triumph that saw Amakhosi end a decade-long trophy drought and dethrone their fierce rivals Orlando Pirates. 

It was a symbolic moment for Chiefs fans, who had been starved of success despite the club’s stature in South African football.

“Players and coaches know that they wouldn't be at the clubs forever, but it's very important that when you are given an opportunity, you give it your all. And Coach Nabi did that. In his first season, you won the silverware, and people will forever remember him for that,” Khune added.

Despite the glory, Nabi’s absence in recent games added to the uncertainty. He was missing during both legs of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Kabuscorp SC of Angola, as well as a PSL encounter against Marumo Gallants.

 Chiefs lost the first leg to Kabuscorp, drew 1-1 with Gallants, and eventually advanced in the continental competition via penalties.

In their most recent outing against Kabuscorp, Chiefs showed flashes of progress. Dillion Solomons, Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Glodly Lilepo were handed starts, and it was Lilepo who gave Amakhosi the lead just before halftime.

 Kabuscorp pushed back strongly in the second half, but Chiefs held their nerve in the penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen making a crucial save and Aiden McCarthy scoring the decisive spot-kick.

While that result keeps the team’s continental journey alive, the uncertainty over Nabi’s future overshadowed the occasion. For Khune and many Chiefs supporters, the departure feels like a step back just when the club appeared to be rediscovering its identity.

When the official confirmation comes, Nabi will leave Naturena as the coach who finally ended a painful silverware drought — a legacy that Khune insists deserved more time to grow into something greater.