Young Africans coach Miguel Angel Gamond has lavished praise on Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, revealing how he made things easier for him in his job in Tanzania.
Argentine coach Gamondi replaced Nabi who stepped down as Yanga mentor to join Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat where he spent one season prior to coming to Chiefs.
While admitting he doesn't know Nabi personally, Gamondi believes the Tunisian coach laid a strong foundation for him at Yanga.
Nabi enjoyed a successful stint at Yanga, securing back-to-back trebles and leading the team to the CAF Confederation Cup final, where they were defeated by USM Alger.
GAMONDI ON HOW NABI MADE HIS JOB EASY
“I am grateful to him (Nabi) for the foundation he laid at Young Africans, they had won the league in the last two seasons, so for me (coming in), it was high pressure. Luckily we did even better, we had an impressive season and were even in the Champions League quarterfinal,” he said as quoted by The Citizen.
“I don’t know him (Nabi) personally, but I am very respectful of him. He helped me with my work in Tanzania and I wish him all the best. Hopefully he … can do even better than he did at Yanga with Chiefs.
“The task is not easy, to come to Chiefs, especially in this moment, Chiefs have not been doing well the last few seasons
“I think Chiefs are a team certain to go up and be back at the top of South African football. Hopefully this is the start of a new era for club and coach.”
Chiefs and Yanga will lock horns in the inaugural Toyota Cup on Sunday at Toyota Stadium at 3 pm.
“Maybe for the press … it is good marketing to see coach Nabi and coach Gamondi (against each other), but it is not about this, we are at the stage of preparing the team (for the new season). I am very competitive, every coach wants to win, but there is no pressure to qualify for anything or to get three points,” he added.
“If a result like this (during pre-season) is not coming you do not lose your job!”