Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has delivered an emotional farewell message following his mutual separation from the club, reflecting on his proud accomplishment of ending the club’s long and painful trophy drought.
The club officially confirmed Nabi’s exit on Friday, stating they had “mutually agreed to conclude their professional relationship on an amicable basis” with the Tunisian mentor, who had been serving a suspension prior to the announcement.
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A Message of Pride and Gratitude
Taking to Instagram, Nabi expressed profound gratitude for his time at the club, reserving special praise for key figures who supported him.
He offered his “sincere thanks” to club chairman Dr. Kaizer Motaung and specifically acknowledged his trusted assistants, Safi Majdi and Elyes Mzoughi.
Crucially, Nabi’s exit comes just months after he guided Amakhosi to their first piece of silverware in a decade, a fact he mentioned with evident pride.
Nabi reserved his most heartfelt words for the squad: “To my players: I could not say goodbye and hug you as I would have wished, but know that I am proud of you and grateful for all the efforts you made during my time at the club,” he wrote, as quoted by iDiski Times.
He also offered encouragement to the club’s youth, saying, “You are the jewels of this club. Believe in yourselves, work hard, and have ambitions equal to your talent.”
The 58-year-old coach further extended his appreciation to the medical, technical, and administrative staff for their daily support, and praised the Chiefs faithful, describing the fans as “the true strength of the club.”
A Pointed Omission
The farewell was notable for the omission of any mention of former assistants Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who have since been installed as the interim co-coaches following Nabi’s suspension and subsequent departure.
Nabi concluded his message by reaffirming his legacy at Naturena: “I leave with pride, having worn the gold and black colours, having ended the drought, and having been part of the greatest club in South Africa. Shapa Khosi Shapaa,” he signed off.