Nabi knows Chiefs have far to go, but also that a Carling win can set up his tenure

Kaizer Chiefs supporters have watched their team's start to the campaign with huge optimism, but coach Nasreddine Nabi wants expectations to be carefully managed because he is keenly aware his team are not yet fully cooked.

After six matches in all competitions since the start of the season, Amakhosi have blown hot and cold, resulting in frustrations already being expressed from a certain section of their supporters.

Nabi says the club's expectant fans have to face reality and be honest with themselves that the side are not yet contenders to win the league and cup competitions.

The first three matches under Nabi and his accompanying new technical staff raised expectations further. There was a definite stronger structure, fight in the challenge, and more pace and movement in attack in the Betway Premiership wins against Marumo Gallants (2-1) and AmaZulu (3-1). Amakhosi fought again in a 2-1 loss against Kaizer Chiefs in front of a packed FNB Stadium in late September.

Chiefs ran rampant thrashing SuperSport United 4-0 in the Carling Knockout. Since then, there has been a measure of a reality check, and a reminder that even in the first four games there were plenty of imperfections. Of course there were — Chiefs ended ninth last season and have gone nine seasons without silverware — there will be no quick fix.

SuperSport bounced back with a 1-0 league win against Polokwane. Staying in Limpopo Chiefs seemed dead certain to drop to a morale-deflating defeat against promoted Magesi FC at 2-0 down after 75 minutes on Wednesday night.

As mistake-prone as they were for most of that game, before Mduduzi Shabalala's two-goals in a two-minute rescue effort (77th and 78th), there were more signs of hope in salvaging a draw. Last season's Chiefs, and the one from many of the other recent poor campaigns, would have folded.

Still, the match was a definite reminder of how much work is left to do for Nabi.

“I want to repeat that I am realistic and honest about the mission that I am here for,” he said through translator and assistant coach Cedric Kaze ahead of another huge clash against Sundowns in Saturday's Carling Knockout quarterfinal at FNB Stadium, which is set for another sell-out.

“If I tell you that the team that I have can be a contender for the championship, I'll be lying and not an honest man. We need to build a strong Kaizer Chiefs team and after that we can play for the championship and cup competitions.” 

Even as he warns it is too early to think of a trophy, Nabi will know lifting the Carling — which beating Downs would go a long way towards — to end the drought could really establish his tenure on the right footing.   

Amakhosi are sitting at eighth spot in the Premiership with seven points from five matches, but they have time to force their way into the top half of the table there too. Chiefs missed out on the season-opening MTN8, but remain in contention in the Carling. Nabi and his players are desperate for an inspired performance against Sundowns to progress to the semifinal. Nabi challenged his players to try to go all the way in this cup.

“You need to find balance and from my first press conference, I said I am here to build a good and strong team and not to pretend to be a contender for the championship or any of the league cups. But that doesn't mean we will not fight and give everything we have in every game.

“If there is a cup to win, we will try our best to win it, because I have the spirit of winning and I want the players to have the same spirit.”

Nabi seemed determined to stress the project and mission he has embarked upon with his technical team needs time. 

“I don't want a situation where every time I highlight that the management brought me here for a special mission. The mission I am here to fulfil has steps and I am not saying this to cover ourselves for the results, whether they are negative or positive. We have to stick to the same trajectory of the mission.

“This mission we are on has many steps. There are some in the media who are trying to portray Kaizer Chiefs as a contender for a trophy or the league immediately. But that is not the case, we have to play and get the results. In the meantime, something happened during the previous years where the club went without a trophy.”

Nabi said he won't rest until Amakhosi are restored to glory. 

“Last season was probably the worst in the club’s history, but we have the objective of a long-term project which is to become the Kaizer Chiefs that everyone wants to see. That is being on top of the table and challenging for every trophy on offer. But in the meantime, there are steps that we need to go through methodically to get there. 

“There has been a significant element of belief, positiveness, aura, energy [at Chiefs]. That energy comes from results they acquired and how they see things unfolding. There is hope that this thing is going to click and it is good to see that because when that happens it puts everybody under pressure.  

—  Steve Komphela

“We don't want to create a misunderstanding with our fans [about where the squad is at the moment] but we promise that we are doing everything possible to reach the high level where the club belongs as soon as possible.”

Chiefs are an increasingly dangerous, if unpredictable, combination whose signings — including Gaston Sirino, Rushwin Dortley, Inácio Miguel and Njabulo Blom — look to have added genuine quality. Nabi will surely look to strengthen further in January, and a top class striker seems a priority.

Sundowns are aware Nabi's Chiefs are a different prospect to recent weak versions. Brazilians senior coach Steve Komphela said Chiefs have strengths and weaknesses. 

“There has been a significant element of belief, positiveness, aura, energy. That energy comes from results they acquired and how they see things unfolding. There is hope that this thing is going to click and it is good to see that because when that happens it puts everybody under pressure. 

“All the teams in the league who wish to be at the top spot, they will buck up and make it a point that these people are coming. It is more of pushing everybody in their game, it benefits everybody. Not only themselves but also the league.

“You feel them and we felt them at FNB Stadium. The last 15 minutes you could feel the change. It is not going to be an easy match and you have perform in front of 100,000 people.”