‘We trained three times a day’ – Dove lifts the lid on Nabi’s grueling standards at Chiefs

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove has lifted the lid on the intense, “perfectionist” culture introduced by Nasreddine Nabi, credited with finally ending the club’s decade-long wait for silverware.

The Mozambican international was a cornerstone of the Tunisian tactician’s defence during the historic 2024/25 campaign, most notably anchoring the backline during the 2025 Nedbank Cup final victory over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.

Despite the success, Nabi’s tenure at Naturena was short-lived, with the club parting ways with him early in the current season. Now, following his departure from the Glamour Boys in June 2025, Dove has shared the gruelling standards that defined the Nabi era.

‘Three Training Sessions a Day’ Under Nabi at Chiefs

Speaking on Soccer Beat, Dove described a coaching style characterised by relentless demand and tactical obsession. According to the versatile defender, Nabi’s drive for excellence often pushed the squad to their physical limits.

“He is just a perfectionist; he is obsessed with perfection,” Dove revealed. “For the first time in my career, the only time we trained three times [in a single day] was under ex-Chiefs coach Nabi. He was obsessed with things flowing the right way.”

Dove noted that the coach’s passion translated into a “no-nonsense” approach in the dressing room, regardless of a player’s status in the team.

The Benni McCarthy Comparison

Interestingly, Dove drew parallels between Nabi and South African legend Benni McCarthy, whom he played under during his stint at Cape Town City FC. He highlighted their shared preference for brutal, real-time honesty over delayed video analysis.

“I can compare him with Coach Benni McCarthy… he’s the type of guy where, if you’re having a bad first half, he doesn’t wait for the game to finish to analyse videos. He will tell you straight. That is where they are similar.”

While injuries limited Dove to 13 appearances in his final season, his contribution to the 2025 Nedbank Cup triumph remains a highlight of his three-year stay at Naturena.

Following Nabi’s exit, his former assistants Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have taken the reins, inheriting a squad that—thanks to Nabi’s “obsessive” methods—finally remembers how it feels to lift a trophy.