Nasreddine Nabi has admitted not winning silverware in nine years is “unacceptable” for a big club like Kaizer Chiefs and insisted he will not make empty promises to the fans but build his reign on solid foundations.
The Tunisian tactician addressed South African journalists on Friday ahead of the inaugural Toyota Cup on Sunday in his first press conference since being announced as new Amakhosi head coach.
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With Chiefs going without any silverware since 2014/15 under Stuart Baxter, Nabi stated that ending the trophy drought and bringing the glory days back to Naturena was one of the reasons why he accepted the job, however, he insisted he needs to be given time.
“I’ve been expecting a question on this,” Nabi told local media.
“For a big club like Kaizer Chiefs it’s unacceptable to not have a title in nine years, especially with the club having the biggest amount of fans in South Africa and a big following in African in general.
“Where the club is supposed to be, especially considering how big it is, and not having a title in a long time is what made me want to come here and challenge myself to put the club where it’s supposed to be.
“[But] we need a very realistic strategy to put the club where it’s supposed to be. We need to be honest with ourselves and the supporters.
“We need to look at our quality without emotions, we need to look at what we have currently without being emotional.
“Once we’ve analysed what we have and we’ve put a strategy of how to revive the club and the team, we should get to where we want.”
Nabi further stated that he’s aware the fans have heard the same promises of a “new project” ahead of the recent campaigns, but he will not admit to a trophy target in 2024/25.
“I do not want to make empty promises, I don’t just make the fans hear what they want. We need to prepare and start properly and take it from there,” he continued.
“We understand that the fans are very tired of promises of projects that are coming along, promises at every start of pre-season but we cannot do that.
“We’re here to build the team, to build a strong team that will fight throughout the year. Build ourselves nationally and internationally bigger. That is what will make us solid.
“I’m not making excuses not to have titles or anything, because we will fight every game for the three points.”
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO) and David Kappel (@kappilinho).
