‘It’s a conspiracy theory’: Petersen on Chiefs playing better when Nabi was away

Kaizer Chiefs players cannot be blamed for the souring of relations between the club's hierarchy and head coach Nasreddine Nabi, Amakhosi goalkeeper Brandon Petersen asserts.

There are several reports that Nabi is negotiating his termination contract out of Naturena just a season and a few months into his tenure, and the club confirmed on Friday talks “remain ongoing”. Petersen insisted Chiefs' players have nothing to do with the imminent departure of the 60-year-old Tunisian.

Nabi did not travel with Chiefs as they lost 1-0 to Angolan side Kabuscorp at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Saturday in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round tie. 

Nabi's problem is he doesn't have an updated coaching licence that allows him to sit on the bench when the club plays in the Caf interclub competitions. After finding that out, Chiefs' management decided to suspend the Tunisian.

Information from Naturena during the coach's tenure has consistently been he is hard to work with and battles to win over the players.

Petersen was asked on the sidelines of the Carling Knockout Cup draw in Johannesburg on Monday whether Chiefs had a hand in Nabi's situation, as they often seemed to perform better in his absence, including when he returned to Tunisia this season to look after his wife after she was involved in a road accident. The keeper insisted the players' focus has always been on what happens on the pitch.

Chiefs started the season by winning three matches on the trot without Nabi, who only returned in their fourth league match against champions Mamelodi Sundowns, which they drew 0-0. Though Nabi steered Amakhosi to a 1-0 win in their next league match away to Lamontville Golden Arrows, they lost 3-1 at home to log leaders Sekhukhune United last week. 

“At the end of the day it's football,” said Petersen of how Chiefs' players are absorbing what's happening between Nabi and the club.

“Coaches come and go and it's for us to stay focused — we have back-to-back games coming [in the league against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday and the second leg at home to Kabuscorp on Saturday]. For us it's important to try to keep the team together and make sure we stay in [the race].

“We know our supporters are not pleased [after two losses in a row] and that's the main focus for now. We're looking ahead to the next fixture.

“We've always been the same whether coach Nabi was there or wasn't there. It's a conspiracy theory [speculation Chiefs played better when he was away]. We always respect whoever is in charge — that's our job. 

“Our job is to play football, listen to the coaches and do what we're instructed to do. This is football — coaches come and they go. For us it is to stay focused on our job.”

Chiefs were drawn against Stellenbosch FC in the first round of the Knockout on Monday. Petersen was asked if ending the 10-year trophy drought with Nabi by winning the Nedbank Cup at the end of last season could boost their confidence going into this competition.

“I think it's a good motivation for us, ending last season with a trophy. Our goal this season is to compete and fight for all the trophies up for grabs. Our main focus is our next league match on Wednesday, but in this cup competition we want to go all the way again.”

But before Chiefs can focus on the cup match against Stellies they need to take care of the second Confed Cup clash against Kabuscorp at FNB Stadium, where they have to win with two clear goals to progress.

Despite the Nabi saga still hanging over them, Petersen said Chiefs' players remain switched on to what they need to do on the field. “It's important to recognise this opportunity [Confed Cup] and try to make it into the group stages and go as far as we can in this competition.”