Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has defended his record at the club following his team’s 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday.
Chiefs lost their 12th league match of the season, which left them ninth on the table while extending their winless run to seven PSL matches, adding more pressure on Nabi, whose first campaign at the club has been poor.
It was the second Soweto Derby defeat Nabi was suffering after a 1-0 loss to Pirates in February, and he was asked if he thought he was still the right man to lead the PSL giants, a question he did not take kindly.
“Normally, I wouldn’t answer the questions, but I’ll answer. I don’t think you are the right man to decide whether I’m staying or not,” Nabi said, as quoted by FARPost.
Nabi not happy to be asked about his suitability
“My role and why I’m here is clear; everyone knows that this is a process, and in terms of process, we can’t expect immediate results.
“You’re a professional journalist, and you know I came here for the process. We spoke in my first press conference [at Chiefs]. I told you guys that this is a transition season, and you’ll understand if you’re professional.
“If you are professional, you wouldn’t ask me why I’m staying here when the results are bad. It’s either you are professional or you are not.”
Nabi then defended his record, saying he knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he took up the job.
Is the tactician the right man for Chiefs?
“Don’t provoke me because I’m not a younger coach, and I have a lot of experience,” added the former Yanga and AS FAR coach.
“Talk about tactics and process, but I’m not nervous, and I told my assistant coach that I wasn’t going to answer this question.
“If you are professional, you should know there is a process. I respect all the journalists, but don’t provoke me. I’m not nervous, I’m only nervous because I lost, not nervous about your questions.”
Nabi has maintained that his job at Chiefs was not a quick fix although the results continue to make life difficult for him with belief among the club’s supporters waning by every match that they fail to win.
The tactician and his players have a chance to avenge Saturday’s loss this weekend when Chiefs face Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.
