Nabi’s tough choices: Chiefs coach on trimming big squad

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has shed light on the club’s massive squad, confirming that management is actively working on offloading players before the transfer window closes next week.

While addressing the media on Monday, Nabi also provided updates on several new signings, including former Mamelodi Sundowns duo Etiosa Ighodaro and Lebohang Maboe.

With a staggering 11 new faces joining the club, including the recent loan acquisition of Khanyisa Mayo, the Chiefs squad has ballooned to nearly 40 players. Nabi acknowledged this challenge, stating that a smaller, more manageable group is necessary for the season ahead.

NASREDDINE NABI ON MANAGING EXPECTATIONS FOR NEW ARRIVALS AT KAIZER CHIEFS

Nabi stressed the need for caution when integrating the new players. He noted that some, like Ighodaro and Maboe, are still recovering from injuries and did not have a proper pre-season.

“There are players that have been recruited but they are in different conditions,” Nabi said at the Kaizer Chiefs Village. “Some came to us without having proper pre-season… some had pre-seasons but got injured like Ighodaro. That’s why we need to be very careful in incorporating the new players because we didn’t recruit them to rush them.”

The coach emphasized that many of the new recruits, particularly the younger ones, were signed with the club’s long-term future in mind. He plans to integrate them “step by step,” ensuring they are fully ready to compete at the required level.

“We recruited many players, young players also, because we were looking to the future of the club,” he added.

KAIZER CHIEFS LOOK TO TRIM DOWN SQUAD

With the transfer window set to slam shut on September 22, Nabi confirmed that the club is actively seeking solutions to the squad overload. He revealed that he is working closely with management and sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. to find new homes for some players.

“It’s true that the squad is big and the technical staff, management… is working on options to try to offload the squad, to give some players who didn’t have consistency or time to get more game-time,” Nabi confirmed.

He suggested that many of the exits will likely be loan deals, particularly for younger players who need more experience in the PSL. This strategy aims to ensure that every player gets the necessary minutes to develop while also creating a more balanced and competitive environment within the first team.

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