As Kaizer Chiefs prepare to welcome new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Soccer Laduma looks at five things the mentor would need to work on to ensure Amakhosi hit the ground running and get back to their glory days.
Nabi is expected to arrive in South Africa in July, with his assistant Fernando Da Cruz trusted to take the players through their paces while they wait for the new man in the hot seat to set foot at Naturena. Nabi's work at Chiefs will not be a walk in the park, and these are the five things that he will need to work on as he starts his new journey.
READ: Out Of Contract Chiefs Player Report To Naturena
Win silverware
It goes without saying that there will be pressure for Nabi to hit the ground running and win at least one title in his first season at the club. Top of the list of priorities will be silverware and Nabi has no choice but to deliver, or face the wrath of Amakhosi supporters, as was the case with the likes of Steve Komphela, Giovanni Solinas, Arthur Zwane and Molefi Ntseki. His first chance will be the Carling Knockout, with Chiefs not competing in the early season MTN8.
Recruitment
The Siya crew understands that Nabi will be given full reign when it comes to the acquisition of players, which has not always been the case at Naturena. Before Stuart Baxter arrived for his first stint as Amakhosi coach in 2012, the club had already gone into the market to bring in new faces such as Morgan Gould, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela and Mulomowandau Mathoho, players who were all successful under the tutelage of the former Bafana Bafana coach. Signing players before the arrival of a coach, however, has not always worked, especially over the last few seasons where they have released a number of players who either did not cut it or could not get game time. Nabi will have to ensure that they bring in the right players to fit into the system he wants to play.
Striking department
Chiefs were one of the lowest scoring teams last season, netting 25 times in 30 matches. For a side looking to restore its glory days, Amakhosi will need to do much better in the coming campaign and Nabi has to find a system, as well as players, to inspire positive change in the final third.
Find the right captain
Amakhosi have had some great captains over the years, going back to the likes of Neil Tovey, Doctor Khumalo, Brian Baloyi, Patrick Mabedi, Tefu Mashamaite and Itumeleng Khune, but they haven't had a steady skipper over the last year or two, for various reasons. Going into the new season, Nabi will need to appoint a leader that he can trust to carry the troops on the pitch during the good and the bad times.
READ: Chiefs Star Announces Departure
Bring back the fear
There was a time when teams would fear playing Chiefs, but things have changed over the years. They have not been dominant and their Nedbank Cup disasters against lower division clubs have not helped in any way. Still considered a big club, Nabi has to find a way to bring back the fear that clubs had of playing against Amakhosi and give their fellow big guns, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, a serious run for their money.
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