Nasreddine Nabi will not travel with the team for the first match of the season: What's the matter? | OneFootball

A special family circumstance keeps the Tunisian coach away from the first matches of the season.

Nasreddine Nabi will not travel with the team for the first match of the season: What's the matter?

In a sobering development, Kaizer Chiefs will begin their 2025/26 campaign without manager Nasreddine Nabi on the touchline after the Tunisian tactician abruptly returned to his homeland. Club officials revealed Nabi's wife suffered severe injuries in an accident, compelling the 58-year-old coach to prioritize family during this crisis.

While Nabi remains in Tunisia awaiting his wife's recovery, his trusted lieutenants Khalil Ben Youssef (first assistant) and Cedric Kaze (second assistant) have assumed control of training sessions and will jointly oversee Sunday's crucial fixture against Stellenbosch FC. The technical team has emphasized business-as-usual preparations despite the emotional circumstances surrounding their absent leader.

Insiders suggest Nabi - who only joined Chiefs this preseason - maintains daily contact with his staff, though his return date remains uncertain pending his wife's medical progress. The football community has rallied around the respected coach, with messages of support flooding social media platforms.