Was Nabi fired by Chiefs? ‘Everyone knows what the story is!’

Coach Nasreddine Nabi was not fired but opted to walk out on Kaizer Chiefs, according to his ex-assistant tactician at Amakhosi Khalil Ben Youssef.

Nabi was appointed at the beginning of 2024/25 season to help steer the Glamour Boys forward. In his debut year, Chiefs ended their 10-year trophy drought by securing the Nedbank Cup.

However, just six Premier Soccer League games into the 2025/26 edition, the involved parties confirmed parting ways. Cedric Kaze and Ben Youssef came in as co-coaches until the end of the season.

Despite helping the team to finish third on the table which was the first time in six years, the management made the changes, bringing in Fernando Da Cruz to lead the playing unit as well as the technical team.

How Nabi left Chiefs?

There were questions asked about why Kaze and Ben Youssef opted to remain when Nabi left. The immediate former Durban City coach has since used the opportunity to set the record straight.

“The situation, it was a misunderstanding between Nabi and the board,” Ben Youssef told SuperSport.

“It was his decision [to leave]. He said ‘I want to go, I don’t want to stay.’ Inside [the club] everyone knows what the story is and what the reality is inside.

“Because at the end of the day, you came here for a job, to succeed. You don’t come to make problems and make stories,” he concluded.

Da Cruz has been asked by the management to deliver the Premier Soccer League this season. Amakhosi are currently fourth on the table, behind Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu respectively.