Extra Time: Kaizer Chiefs have been strongly linked with Young Africans coach Nasreddine Nabi as a possible replacement for Arthur Zwane but he is not the right fit for the Amakhosi, writes Michael Madyira.
After Zwane guided them to an uninspiring campaign last season, the Soweto giants have sprung to action, looking for an experienced coach who could turn around their fortunes.
Nasreddine Nabi’s name has been prominently mentioned, with various reports suggesting he was due to touch down in Johannesburg this week for talks.
The Belgian-Tunisian attracted interest after guiding Young Africans to the CAF Confederation Cup final last season. This was his best-ever run on the continent as a coach.
However, apart from back-to-back trebles with Yanga in the past two seasons, Nabi is not known to win trophies.
Right now, Chiefs need a coach famous for winning things — someone with a track record of success.
Before joining Yanga, Nabi was a nomad hopping from one club to another without winning anything.
According to German-based football encyclopaedia Transfermarkt, the 57-year-old has worked in five countries; Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Tanzania and Italy, where he was coach of amateur side PDHA FC.
In 2013, he spent eight months at Al Ahli Benghazi, before a four-month stint at Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman.
He then spent the whole of 2015 jobless before being appointed Ismaily coach in January 2016 but lasted just 22 days in that role after managing three defeats and a draw.
Nabi then disappeared, only to resurface in Italy three years later in charge of a semi-professional side for a four-month spell.
That was followed by another retreat for over a year, only to reappear in Sudan where he was now head coach of Al Hilal’s traditional foes Al Merreikh.
But he lasted just two months before Yanga came calling in April 2021.
His stint in Tanzania is the longest Nabi has ever stayed in a coaching job.
With Chiefs having clearly stated they are working on a long-term project as they seek to break Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance, they do not need a coach who works while his bags are already packed and is always on the move.
They need someone who believes in their ambition and intends to stay longer.
Pictured above: Young Africans coach Nasreddine Nabi
Image source: Young Africans
