Nasreddine Nabi to Miss Stellies Clash After Wife’s Accident
Kaizer Chiefs will be without head coach Nasreddine Nabi when they kick off their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign against Stellenbosch FC on Sunday at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. The club confirmed on Friday that Nabi has had to return to Tunisia due to a serious family matter.
Tragedy Strikes on the Eve of New Season
In a statement released on their official website, Amakhosi announced that the Tunisian tactician would not travel with the squad to the Mother City for their highly anticipated season opener. This comes after a “critical accident” involving Nabi’s wife in Tunisia, which has forced the coach to urgently fly home to be by her side.
The club expressed its solidarity with the coach during this difficult time. “Kaizer Chiefs would like to extend its best wishes to Coach Nabi and his family during this challenging time. We ask all supporters to keep them in your thoughts and prayers,” the club said.
Touchline Void for Amakhosi
While Chiefs prepare to face a tricky Stellies side without their head coach, questions naturally arise about who will lead operations from the bench on Sunday. Though there has been no official announcement, assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef is likely to step in. Youssef temporarily took charge last season when Nabi served a touchline ban and is familiar with the team’s structure.
Also part of the technical team is Cedric Kaze, who joined the Soweto giants in October last year and could also play a supporting role in managing the matchday squad.
A Bump in the Road for Chiefs’ Ambitions
The timing of Nabi’s absence is unfortunate, given the pressure on Kaizer Chiefs to hit the ground running this season. After another disappointing league campaign last term, the club and its supporters were hoping for a strong start, especially following Du Preez’s confident remarks earlier this week about Chiefs being capable of challenging for silverware.
The squad has undergone several changes during the off-season, and Nabi has been central to reshaping the team’s identity. His temporary absence could disrupt early momentum, though his coaching staff will be expected to maintain the game plan and deliver results in Cape Town.
What Lies Ahead
While the focus on Sunday will shift to the players and interim technical leadership, there’s no doubt that the hearts of the Amakhosi faithful will be with their coach and his family. It remains uncertain exactly when Nabi will return to South Africa, with the club indicating he will only be back once the family situation has stabilised.
Despite the disruption, the Chiefs camp will aim to rally together and secure an important away result against a Stellenbosch side that has proven to be a tough opponent in recent seasons.
Related article: Du Preez Confident Kaizer Chiefs Can Compete for All Titles This Season
