Why Lucas Radebe says Nabi can only be judged after 2025/26 season

Lucas Radebe. Photo credit: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs legend Lucas Radebe has backed the club's head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, explaining why the Tunisian's capabilities should only be truly judged after the conclusion of the upcoming season.

Nabi completed his first season with Amakhosi at the helm, having taken over at the start of the 2024/25 PSL. He arrived at Chiefs on a two-year deal from Moroccan side AS FAR, tasked with the ambitious goal of restoring the club to its former glory.

His first season with the Soweto giants proved to be a rollercoaster. Despite an inconsistent league run that saw Chiefs finish a disappointing ninth, Nabi ended the club's decade-long trophy drought. He guided the Glamour Boys to a dramatic 2-1 Nedbank Cup final victory over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates last month.

The Nedbank Cup success also secured a CAF Confederation Cup qualification for Chiefs next season. Following the previous campaign's conclusion, reports suggested Nabi might part ways with Amakhosi after missing out on a top-eight finish. Despite these rumours, Chiefs appear to have decided to retain Nabi for another season.

Lucas Radebe emphasised that coach Nabi's true assessment next season hinges on Chiefs signing players who genuinely fit his tactical philosophy.

"I think last season, Kaizer Chiefs did well after winning the trophy because that's one of the things that has been eluding the club for some time," said Radebe.

"A club and a brand like Chiefs is known for winning trophies, and this is the reason this team is one of the most supported teams in Africa. We must recruit the quality that's needed for the club, and I think Nabi has a big chance of doing that, especially after winning silverware last season," he added.

"I think we can fully judge him as a coach next season, and that's his job as a coach to make the club successful. He just needs to bring in the right players and not deviate from the culture of the club. I think philosophy matters the most for the club and fans. You can see the pressure they’re putting him under; they’re demanding results."