Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has admitted that it was a little bit tough preparing for the Betway Premiership match against Sekhukhune United following the festivities of winning the Nedbank Cup and the news that he may be leaving the side at the end of the term.
Chiefs broke a 10-year trophy spell, beating rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Cup final last weekend, a feat that was followed by reports that the club will release the coach and his entire technical team come end of the campaign.
The coach and club management have vaguely responded to the allegations, saying there will be a review when the season ends, while Nabi insisted he is keen to stay but needs to be given the “tools” he needs.
Nabi was brought in following a poor campaign that saw Amakhosi finish outside the top 8 in their history and he has endured inconsistent results in the league.
Chiefs drew 1-1 with Sekhukhune in Polokwane on Saturday in their penultimate game of the season and remained in ninth position on the log with 31 points. Asked after the game if the rumours about his person made it tough to prepare for the encounter, Nabi said the news are creating confusion and have had people calling him thinking he is free.
“The news comes from journalists, it doesn’t come from anywhere,” said Nabi.
“But I agree with you that preparation for this game is not for myself, the preparation is for the players after a tough final game a big effort after festivities.
“For that I thank all the players because it was not easy for them. But the whole week people were concentrated besides all the festivities and everything. We felt that the players were committed to this game.
“But about myself it came from journalists and it’s not respectful. Why is it that every time they say is Nabi staying for what? It is not correct.
“I respect all of you journalists and all journalists should also respect me because these news is bad for me, it creates confusion in my team.
“And this is not correct it’s not professional the information is not correct. All of Africa has been calling me thinking I’m free because I have finished with Kaizer Chiefs.
“Please be professional and I’m not being personal with anyone.”
