Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has shed light on what motivated him to refuse to sign a highly-rated striker despite having overseas experience, the coach insisted that he is only interested in top-level players and that the player is below the level of Chiefs.
Amakhosi are in search of a striker to address their goal-scoring deficit which saw them netting only 25 league goals last season and attaining a tenth-place finish on the log. They have reinforced their attack with former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Gaston Sirino but are still in search of more attacking players.
While addressing the media during the official launch of the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, Nabi revealed that he rebuked a forward because he does not possess the qualities currently needed in his set-up.
“He is not the level for Kaizer Chiefs, he’s not the quality and what I needed exactly for Kaizer Chiefs. It’s simple, you don’t take the name.
“I know what quality I want for my team, what quality I want to have on my team,” said the 59-year-old.
The Naturena-based outfits announced two new signings on Tuesday including Njabulo Blom who is the product of the club’s developmental structures, he left the club in January 2023. He re-joined Chiefs on a one-year loan deal from St. Louis City, a team that plays in the Major League Soccer. Nabi also strengthened his defence with Bradley Cross who was in the books of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The Tunisian tactician expressed his gratitude to Kaizer Chiefs management for opening their “chequebook” and allowing him to sign high-level players. He added that he wants to build a team with big players.
“Kaizer Chiefs have the big money, but all the clubs (and) coaches need their player, they need their best player. It’s difficult because of the level of the players coming to Chiefs, I want a high level, I don’t expect a medium player,” Nabi added.
“For that, I take time, yesterday I refused one striker. He is playing in Portugal, but I refused him because he doesn’t have the level for Kaizer Chiefs, for the level where I want Chiefs. If we don’t have the opportunity, I don’t take it. The coach concluded.