Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says the club has opted to look for transfer targets out of South Africa after finding it difficult to negotiate deals in the country.
Clubs in South Africa are known to hike prices when any of the big teams come calling with Chiefs falling victims many times during transfer negotiations and it has led to them missing out on some key targets.
To avoid this in the off-season, Nabi says Chiefs have decided to embrace a different approach which is to look for players outside the borders as the prices are favourable.
“We know the competition, it’s hard to sign players from other clubs in South Africa for us, so we need to change our strategy and we have a new strategy in management for that,” Nabi told iDiski Times.
“It’s not for me to talk to you about it, but the club, we have a new strategy that we are working on. After this window, we will maybe look outside, another country for other players.
Chiefs open to more signings outside SA
“But it’s not about names, I don’t need big names, I need the profile of the player that can fit into my system, not a name. And we will go outside South Africa if we need to. But I don’t want too many players, but I want the quality players that my game model needs.”
Nabi has overseen an inconsistent run of results since taking over in July 2024 with the Glamour Boys in eighth place on the log after 20 games although they are just three points away from third place that would guarantee continental football next season.
Chiefs have also made it to the Nedbank cup semi-final where a date with either Mamelodi Sundowns or Sekhukhune United await but Nabi says the team is far from what he would like.
“You talk about seven, eight players. I have the foundation of five, six maybe,” he added.
“Based on my game model, the difference kills me in some games. You understand me. If in the future we balance the situation with quality, this will be the starting of success for the team, with Nabi, or without Nabi.
What is Nabi looking for in new players?
“Look, it always depends on the possibilities, but yes, five or six and after the other [January] window, maybe two, three more.
“But not signing a high number of players, no. If you have too many players, you kill yourself, the other players, and the youngsters coming through.”
Chiefs backed Nabi with seven new players before the start of the season before adding three more in January and are expected to be busy in the market again at the end of this term.
Nabi’s side host Cape Town City in their next PSL game on Wednesday, hoping for a second straight win.
