BETWAY PREMIERSHIP LAUNCH | Kaizer Chiefs' coach Nasreddine Nabi aims for consistency in new season

Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi has admitted the days of preaching the gospel of “the process” are over, which is why they need to be consistent this season.

Chiefs had an average outing last season as they won the Nedbank Cup, but missed out on Carling Knockout and finished ninth in the Betway Premiership.

As such, there were some calls for the club to let go of Nabi after he didn’t meet the high expectations of waking up the sleeping giant.

Amakhosi stuck with him, though, intensifying his preparations for the new season with a training camp in the Netherlands and bolstering his squad with new signings.

The new players include Siphesihle Ndolovu, Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, Nkanyiso Shinga, Thabiso Monyane, and Paseka Mako.

So, given the investments that have been made by the club into the team and expectations from the fans, Nabi has highlighted what they need to do to improve this season.

“Our main target and priority is to put Kaizer Chiefs where it belongs,” said Nabi, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Betway Premiership in Sandton on Tuesday.

“I have noticed that the people don’t like to hear about the process. But last season, even though it was our first year together, we managed to win one of the two cup competitions.

“This season we are going to take it game by game, and try to be as consistent as we can possibly be. We’ll see where we finish at the end of the season.”

Chiefs also competed in the second edition of the Toyota Cup as part of their preparations, and lost to Asante Kotoko of Ghana on penalties, at the Moses Mabhida in Durban.

But despite the defeat, they showed flashes of improvement from the tour of the Netherlands where they lost four training matches and won one.

So, as their opening clash in the Premiership against Stellenbosch at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday draws nearer, Nabi has weighed in on their readiness for the match.

“These are the last days heading into the first game of the season,” Nabi said. “It’s just about the last touches, and adjustments, preparing for the league season.

“The only thing that I can say is that we are almost ready. The only unfortunate aspect is the absence of Pule Mmodi for the first game due to his suspension.”

The transfer window is still open until September 22, and Chiefs still have ample time to beef up their squad for the new season.

Chiefs were heavily linked with striker Etiosa Ighodaro in the last few weeks, and it seemed they had secured his services after a video of him in the club regalia was leaked.

However, the Tunisia-born coach has lifted the lid on why the club is yet to unveil him unlike the other new signings.

“That player belongs to another team, and has administrative issues,” Nabi conceded. “Him and another striker that we’ve listed on our potential arrivals will be welcomed.

“But we have to wait for our administration to know that he or the other player are going to join. I saw the player last season, playing for AmaZulu.

“I believe he’s a good player, but right now, he belong to another club. So, we can’t really talk much about him.”

Chiefs completed three successive wins over Stelies last term, including back-to-back victories, in the league which is why they’ll be expected to continue where they left off on Sunday.

So, Nabi can’t afford to falter and not live up to expectations, or else, he’ll run the risk of being released from his post from the onset.