Kaizer Chiefs vs Sundowns: Make or Break match for Nabi?

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are set for another heavyweight clash on Wednesday night in the Premier Soccer League that will be played at the FNB Stadium.

It will be the fourth time – across all competitions, in his Amakhosi career coach Nasreddine Nabi will be playing against Masandawana. The Tunisian has lost twice, in the league, and won once enroute to winning the Nedbank Cup in the 2024/25 campaign.

The midweek's top of the table clash will be another massive test for the former AS FAR Rabat coach. But is it a make or break outing for him?

Amakhosi are still under transition

When he joined the Soweto giants at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, Nabi complained of having many players who don't meet the standards he wanted. He went on to sign 10 players – though it wasn't clear whether he is the one who identified the targets.

In the ongoing campaign, Amakhosi have added nine more players to continue rebulding the team. It is the opposite of what is happening at Sundowns whose players have playing together for long. No wholesale chnages have been made.

Pressure to maintain a good record

For the last three games, the Glamour Boys have been under assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef. Nabi had to rush home to attend to some emergency and has just returned to continue discharging his duties.

Well, he has the pressure to extend the club's good run. Yes, he might not get maximum points, but Nabi must at least ensure his team doesn't lose at home against the defending champions.

Sundowns are not at their best

Masandawana have not started their season the way they could have anticipated owing to several factors. Some key players like Lucas Ribeiro and Khuliso Mudau were pushing for exits, and have since not played any competitive game since the Club World Cup.

The team has looked shaky against average sides, explaining the three draws and as many wins in regulation time. This should be just the right time for Nabi and his men to get that elusive PSL win over the Brazilians.

Why is a positive result vital for Nabi?

By virtue of winning the Nedbank Cup, Chiefs sealed their place in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, the continental's second-tier competition. They will play some top teams with good quality.

A positive result on Wednesday will underline the club's preparedness to deliver in the continental tournament. It will show the Glamour Boys have grown since his arrival more than a year ago.

Pressure to match Pirates!

In the last couple of years, Orlando Pirates have been making massive strides to match Sundowns. Despite finishing second in the league for the last three seasons, Bucs are on the right path.

Pirates have won three of the last five games and drawn two in regulation time. Chiefs have the same quality to deliver like their traditional rivals explaining why Nabi has to get it right once again after their 2-1 Nedbank Cup triumph last season.