Kaze addresses ‘betrayal’ claims amid Nabi’s imminent Chiefs exit

Kaizer Chiefs second assistant coach, Cedric Kaze, has stepped forward to squash talk of “betrayal” surrounding the expected departure of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, the man who brought him to Naturena.

With Nabi’s future at the club hanging in the balance, Kaze and fellow assistant Khalil Ben Youssef have taken the reins for the early stages of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking to the media ahead of the crucial CAF Confederation Cup second leg against Kabuscorp SCP—where Chiefs must overturn a 1-0 deficit—Kaze was asked directly if his mentor felt betrayed by the assistants carrying on the work.

Kaze, who has a long-standing working relationship with Nabi, emphasised the nature of the coaching profession and his ultimate duty to the club.

“I’ve known coach Nabi for a couple of years, I have worked with him and as him and me, we know the situation of the coaching job,” Kaze explained. “Today, he’s not here, and I’m pretty sure that he will be proud that we continue where he left off and we bring the club where it belongs.”

‘He Will Be Proud’: Kaze Insists Nabi Backs Assistants Leading Chiefs Project

The Burundian-born coach stressed the unwavering need for professionalism, especially with a vital continental clash looming at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“We are professional, we are here to work for Kaizer Chiefs, and we know what is in front of us,” he stated, adding that the team has moved on from the ongoing drama. “These things that have happened now are behind us; we are looking forward to tomorrow with every inch of our hearts, our concentration.”

Kaze and Ben Youssef have already proven their ability to guide Amakhosi, steering the team to four consecutive league wins earlier this season while Nabi was on compassionate leave. Now, they face their biggest test yet: securing a vital win to keep Chiefs on course for the continental group stages.