Nabi’s axing at Kaizer Chiefs may have sparked a potential coaching exodus that will see more premiership coaches being sacked by their clubs
By: Mpho Sekharume
The recent sacking of Nasreddine Nabi by Kaizer Chiefs may have cast the spotlight on the performances of other coaches at other Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs.
Although Amakhosi are yet to make an announcement, various reports have confirmed the Soweto giants have indeed severed ties with the Tunisian tactician following their 3-1 loss to log leaders Sekhukhune United on Wednesday - a move that may spark a ripple effect that might see other coaches face similar fates in the foreseeable future.
Despite having pulled the Soweto giants out of the trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Cup and only suffering a single loss in the league so far, Chiefs boldly released Nabi with prospects of current assistant coach rising to the helm.
Chiefs had in recent times maintained a healthy unbeaten streak in the league in Nabi’s absence, but their performance noticeably dwindled as soon as he returned to camp. This short yet vivid drop in form - compounded by incessant calls from Amakhosi fans for him to be fired - mapped Nabi’s exit from Naturena.
“My separation from Kaizer Chiefs was a mutual agreement with the club’s management, following a successful and challenging experience,” Nabi told North African news outlet, WinWin, despite Chiefs having not yet released a statement as confirmation.
He added: “Currently, I need some time to rest, focus more on my family, and monitor my wife’s health, which has required me to be by her side over the past period.”
Nabi is the second coach this season to be removed after Chippa United gave Sinethemba Badela his marching orders last month due to internal club politics.
Other PSL coaches such as Mamelodi Sundown’s Miguel Cardoso, Magesi FC’s John Maduka, Orbit FC’s Pogiso Makhoye and the revered Steve Barker of Stellenbosch FC, may all also be shown the exit door soon at their respective clubs.
While Sundowns sit second on the log behind the high-flying Sekhukhune, Cardoso has come under increasing pressure regarding the Pretoria side’s unconventional style of play and cumbersome tactical approaches to matches. This has placed him under similar scrutiny as his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi, who is now at the helm of Durban outfit, Golden Arrows.
Bafana Ba Style loyalists have also questioned his player selections and his seeming deviation from the club’s traditional ‘piano and shoeshine’ style of play.
Elsewhere the writing might as well already be on the wall for Magesi’s Maduka who remains the only coach without a victory at this stage of the season. The 3-0 loss to Sundowns last Sunday saw Magesi slump to their third defeat in six outings, while having played to a stalemate in the other three fixtures.
The former Royal AM mentor is under pressure to start turning things around if he is to remain at the helm of the Limpopo outfit. Maduka will, therefore, be looking to claim all three points at home against a struggling Siwelele FC tomorrow at the Seshego Stadium.
Speaking of Siwelele, Lehlohonolo Seema may also come under intense scrutiny after the Bloemfontein side lost their midweek fixture away to fellow premiership entrants Durban City on Wednesday. The Bloemfontein side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Durban City on Wednesday - leaving them languishing in the relegation zone, having collected a mere four points from six outings
Another coach who might be in potential trouble is Orbit’s Makhoye, whose side sits right at the bottom of the log table with only one victory to show.
Despite what looked like a promising debut start to their premiership campaign at the beginning of the season, the North West outfit has struggled to sustain the winning momentum. This despite roping in key talent in Monnapule Saleng - who is currently on loan from MTN 8 Champions, Orlando Pirates.
Still in the relegation zone, back-to-back MTN 8 finalists, Stellenbosch FC, is another club that might show their coach the exit door should they not turn the corner soon.
Barker, who has transformed the Western Cape outfit into a formidable competitive side over the years is now guiding them through a slow start to the season that has seen them uncharacteristically register only one win in their opening six fixtures.
Only a single point separates Stellies - who suffered a 2-1 defeat to Amazulu on Wednesday - from bottom-of-the-pile Orbit.
While many may argue that fledgling entities such as Siwelele and Orbit are still trying to adjust to the competitive nature of top flight football, collecting points remains a key prerogative that is sacrosanct to sustaining a club’s premiership status at the end of the season.
As we enter the second quarter of the season, some may also rebuttal with assertions that teams should have adequately acclimatised at this stage of the season and follow through with their season’s plans.
