After a series of bombshell reports on Wednesday, it has now become an open secret that Nasreddine Nabi has left his position as Kaizer Chiefs coach.
Although Kaizer Chiefs are expected to make an announcement soon, there has been nothing communicated from the club as yet despite numerous reports and rumours doing the rounds about Nabi’s exit.
Nabi has now been quoted speaking to North African publication WinWin, and he suggested the exit from the Soweto club was predominantly related to personal family matters after his wife recently suffered an accident.
“My separation from Kaizer Chiefs was a mutual agreement with the club’s management, following a successful and challenging experience. Currently, I need some time to rest, focus more on my family, and monitor my wife’s health, which has required me to be by her side over the past period,” Nabi was quoted as saying.
Nabi added that there was already interest in his services from African and Arab clubs, but he reiterated that his “priority is to take a temporary break and get some rest”.
Differing reports on Nabi leaving Chiefs
Previously, award-winning journalist Mazola Molefe suggested Chiefs had “sacked” Nabi, and that it “may be due to a breach in contract” related to his CAF qualifications.
“It is believed that already at the time of their failure to qualify for the MTN8, the trust between the two parties was broken and the relationship not where it had been early on into his tenure,” a report on the SABC website read.
“The latest saga surrounding his coaching licence, however, is thought to have completely forced the two parties to pull in different directions.”
Chiefs will next be in action in their CAF Confederation Cup first round preliminary qualifier against Girabola side Kabuscorp S.C.P, and Nabi will not be there as his exit is said to be effective immediately, although it remains to be seen what the club will have to say about his departure.
Top African journalist Micky Jnr also suggested that Chiefs management had questioned whether he had a valid CAF license to sit on the bench in Confederation Cup matches, while alleging that even when proof was provided, it did not change the decision to part ways.
WHAT THE MEDIA HAVE BEEN SAYING