Nabi’s Kaizer Chiefs issue, was it about the coaching license? Revelation about qualifications

Nasreddine Nabi parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs just six games into the ongoing Premier Soccer League.

The Tunisian had taken over the reigns at the club in 2024/25 season, as the Soweto giants desperately tried to get a person to help them get back to the helm of South African Football. In his first season, Nabi finished ninth on the table, but won the Nedbank Cup to help Amakhosi end their decade-long winless run.

However, the Glamor Boys opted to make changes, with some people speculating that the former AS FAR Rabat coach didn't have needed papers to see them team through the CAF Confederation Cup. Former Chippa United coach Luc Eymael has shed light on the issue.

What license does Nabi have?

“Nasreddine Nabi has a Pro Licence. We actually did the same coaching courses together. One of our main instructors was Coach Adel Amrouche, and the others were Ariel Jacobs and Kris Van Der Haegen – three excellent professors. Kris spoke German, and the sessions were top-class. It was a special UEFA Pro Licence course designed for coaches working abroad, so it took about two years to complete,” he said as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

“At that time, Nabi was with Anderlecht, working with the Under-13, Under-14 or Under-15 teams, I can’t remember exactly.

“The rest of us were based overseas – one coach was heading an academy in Qatar, another was an assistant coach in Turkey’s top flight, and others were in Morocco’s first and second divisions. So yes, Nabi does hold a proper UEFA Pro Licence,” he added.

Nabi has a UEFA A Licence 

“What people need to understand is that in Europe – in countries like Belgium, England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France – coaches must continuously update their credentials. For example, in England, you’re required to do 28 hours of refresher training every year to keep your licence active.

“To put it in perspective, if you hold a UEFA A Licence, it’s roughly comparable to CAF’s highest qualification, though CAF is not yet recognised in Europe.

“To maintain your UEFA A Licence, you must complete refresher courses, earn points through scouting or seminars, and work at a certain professional level – for example, at least in the Belgian Second Division or another country’s top league.

“In Belgium, with only a UEFA A Licence, you cannot coach in the Premier Division. For that, you need the full UEFA Pro Licence, which Nabi has,” Eymael concluded.