Kaizer Chiefs have officially parted ways with Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, just days before the club begins its CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Why Kaizer Chiefs fired Nasreddine Nabi
The decision comes after a dispute over coaching qualifications, which meant Nabi would not have been allowed to sit on the bench during continental fixtures.
Although Nabi holds a UEFA Pro License (a high-level European qualification), CAF – Africa’s football governing body – requires a CAF-specific license for coaches to take charge of interclub competitions.
Without this, Nabi would not have been eligible to guide Chiefs during their Confederation Cup matches.
Sources say this was the breaking point in a relationship that had already shown cracks.
Despite winning the Nedbank Cup and delivering Chiefs’ first trophy in more than a decade, Nabi’s failure to secure a Top 8 finish in the domestic league strained his standing with the club.
“The trust was already shaken after the MTN8 failure,” said an insider familiar with the situation, “and the license saga only deepened the divide.”
What’s at stake for Chiefs ahead of CAF confed opener
The timing of Nabi’s departure could not be more critical.
Chiefs face Kabuscorp Sport Clube do Palanca in the first leg of their preliminary round tie in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday, 20 September 2025. Kick-off is set for 16:00 local time (17:00 SAST).
This marks Chiefs’ third appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup, a tournament they have never managed to progress far in.
Their previous outings ended in elimination during the early rounds, and fans are hoping this season will be different.
History shows Amakhosi have a good record against Angolan opposition. In 2001, they beat Inter Clube de Luanda to claim their first continental title. In 2020, they knocked out Petro Luanda in the CAF Champions League qualifiers. In four matches against Angolan teams, Chiefs remain unbeaten.
But Nabi’s exit leaves uncertainty hanging over the squad. His tactical leadership and continental experience were seen as vital for navigating this campaign. Chiefs’ management has yet to announce who will take interim charge of the side for the trip to Angola.
With the first leg scheduled this weekend and the return leg between 26–28 September, the pressure is immense.
Progressing to the second preliminary round could pit Chiefs against either Djabal FC of Comoros or a yet-to-be-confirmed Congolese team.
For now, the big question remains: can Chiefs regroup quickly enough after the shock departure of their coach?