Kaizer Chiefs' Nasreddine Nabi under pressure to secure top eight finish
CRUNCH TIME Kaizer Chiefs' coach Nasreddine Nabi faces mounting pressure to secure a top-eight Betway Premiership finish, which could be crucial for his future at the club with just two matches remaining. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
As the celebrations after winning the Nedbank Cup final are now firmly a thing of the past for Kaizer Chiefs, their attention will now turn firmly back to finishing inside the top eight of the Betway Premiership as coach Nasreddine Nabi’s job may depend on it.
There were rumours earlier this week that Nabi would be leaving at the end of the season, but the club has rubbished these reports.
However, Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has insisted that his team needs to finish in the top eight this season.
Amakhosi are currently ninth on the table with two matches remaining. They are on the same 30-point tally as Chippa United who have a superior goal difference by one. Chippa, though, have just the one game left.
Chiefs’ Top Eight Ambitions Hang in the Balance as Season Closes
Meanwhile, Marumo Gallants are also on the same number of points as Chiefs and Chippa but have a goal difference of -13. Chiefs have a goal difference of -7.
Two other teams - Richards Bay and Magesi - are also on 29 points. Richards Bay have two games left, while Magesi have three.
Even SuperSport United down in 13th, are not out of the equation either as they have 26 points with four games remaining.
It means that while on paper it may look like Chiefs just have to finish ahead of Chippa, there are a host of other teams that could deny the Soweto Giants that top eight finish.
With the pressure coming from club management, it means that it could be absolutely vital for Nabi’s future that they win both their remaining matches to avoid finishing outside the top eight for a second season in a row.
Chiefs take on third-placed Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off
Chiefs will then bring the curtain down on their season a week later against seventh-placed Polokwane City on May 24 at FNB Stadium.